Elizabeth J. Crawford, age 85, died Saturday, January 19, 2013, at the Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center in West Branch after a long illness. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00PM on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Henderson Barker Funeral Home in West Branch, with cremation following. Burial will be at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa. Elizabeth (Betty Jo) Josephine Petersen was born Sept. 3 1927 in Anthon, Iowa to Walter and Mary Petersen. She graduated from Moville High School and worked for Western Union for a short time after high school. Betty married Albert H. Petersen on July 2, 1948 and soon became a fulltime mother and housewife. After Albert’s death she married Howard E Crawford, on Aug 17, 1968. Betty lived most of her adult life in Sioux City, moving to West Branch, Iowa in 2006, after Howard’s death. She has spread much joy with her special crocheted gifts that she enjoyed making for her family and friends, as well as a special doctor, who provided her with excellent care through some of the hardest times of her life. She was very giving, often thinking of others as she donated crafts and supplies to Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center, and her beautiful, long, red hair to Locks of Love on two different occasions. Survivors include her 8 children, 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Son, Darwin L. Petersen, Sacramento, CA, grandson Billy Petersen, granddaughter Kim (Robert) Burdekin and great granddaughters Makalya and Makenzee Burdekin, all of California, son Jerry(Mildred)Petersen, Honduras, grandson Jesse(Kristin)Petersen of Tampa, FL; daughter Terry(Howard)Moss of West Branch, IA, grandson Timothy(Casandra)Moss of West Branch, IA, great grandsons, Alex and Albert Moss of West Branch, IA; daughter Sandra Downs of Sioux City, IA, granddaughter Tahirah Crawford of Sioux Falls SD, grandson, Cicero(Rosa)Downs of Sioux City IA, great granddaughter Vessie Downs and Great grandson Henry Downs of Sioux City, IA; daughter, Mary Crawford of Ramona, CA, grandson, KC(Van)Crawford of Clairmont, CA, great grandson, Cameron Crawford of Clairmont, CA, grandson TJ Crawford of Honolulu, HI, grandson JD Crawford of Ramona, CA; son David Crawford of Sioux City, IA; daughter Jo Petersen(Robert Wilson) of Julian, CA, granddaughter, Tawnya Braaten of Ramona, CA, great grandson Ryan Williams, great granddaughters, Kendra and Jordan Williams, all of Ramona, CA, grandson Matthew Braaten and great grandson, Dannon Braaten, both of Ramona, CA; daughter Julie(Shelly Bacon)Rodgers of Sioux City, IA, grandson Dana Crawford of Sioux City, IA and many cousins and friends. Betty was preceded in death by 2 husbands, Albert Petersen and Howard Crawford, her parents, Walter and Mary Petersen, her brothers, William, Robert, Darold, Donald, and Richard Petersen, her sisters, Mildred and Dorothy Petersen, and a baby sibling, as well as her granddaughter, Rachel Petersen(Jerry and Mildred), and her son in law, Henry Downs. Betty will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her family will be forever indebted to the compassionate staff at Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for all their loving, tender care during the last years of her life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crestview, Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 451 W. Orange St., West Branch, IA, 52358.