Betty Lorraine (Piepkorn) Hersel

Betty Lorraine Piepkorn Hersel, age 96, passed away peacefully April 19, 2026, at The Cottages in Meridian, ID, where she had been a resident since 2021. She was born March 20, 1930 in Stanley, ND, the second of four children to Adolph and Helen (Staff Molzen) Piepkorn. Betty graduated from Stanley High School, following an extended hospitalization for treatment of polio.  She married Elwood O. Hersel in Tioga, ND on October 21, 1951. They were married 61 years at the time of his death in 2013. 

Betty is survived by her youngest sister Connie (Ken Coulter of Nampa, ID), three children; Debra (Michael Elliott, of Rosenberg, TX), Wayne (Angela) and Allen of McCall, ID; 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. 

Fishing was a passion for Betty, most recently with her brother LaVern in Alaska where she caught a 60 lbs halibut. She loved playing cards, especially pinocle. A few of her special talents included sewing, blue ribbon quilting, ceramics and oil painting; she made several ceramic baby dolls, was an excellent cook who made wonderful meals for family and friends “from nothing”, preserved fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, juices and meats every fall. It seemed there was nothing she couldn’t do and do well once she put her mind to it. She was a faithful caregiver for Elwood as his health deteriorated.   

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Potter’s Funeral Chapel, Emmett, ID April 25 at 11:00 am with graveside service immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations may be made, in her honor, to The March of Dimes, which graciously provided the funding for her care and treatment of polio (at: marchofdimes.org)

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