Elizabeth "Betsy" D. Place (Riker)

It is with heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Providence St. Peter Hospital, Olympia at the age of 80.

Elizabeth "Betsy" D. Place (Riker) was born on May 27, 1945 in Dover, New Jersey, to Ralph M. and Mildred A. Riker(Howell).

Betsy graduated from Sparta High School in Sparta , New Jersey, in 1962. On October 20, 1962, she married Robert Raymond Place and they had three children together, Pamela Ann, Robert Raymond Jr., and Mark Allen. She later divorced in September 1978.

After her divorce, Betsy brought all three children and all the belongings they could stuff in their old, green station wagon, and moved across the country to Washington State to be close to family. Soon after arriving in Shelton, Betsy started working for Simpson Timber Company as an office assistant/data entry operator. She worked for Simpson Timber Company and later Green Diamond Resources for 35 years. Betsy also raised two of her grandchildren. Betsy's most passionate hobby was reading books.

Betsy is survived by her two sons, Robert Place (and his wife , Danae) and Mark Place (and his wife, Jill), four sisters, Peggy Wilford of Shelton, Leigh Ann Riker of Shelton, Kathy Riker of Olympia, and Janice Norris of Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Betsy is preceded in death by her ex-husband, Robert Place, her daughter, Pamela Hartwell (Place), two brothers, James M. Riker and William G. Riker, her parents, Ralph and Mildred Riker, two aunts, Frances Howell and Ruth Flatt (Howell), and two nieces, Amanda Zettelmier (Wilford) and Kristina Robinson (Riker).

A Celebration of Life has been scheduled for Sunday, May 10, 2026 (Mother's Day) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at South Mason Fire & Rescue Firefighter's Association, 2970 SE Arcadia Road, Shelton WA 98584. This is a celebration to gather, remember, and honor her together. Please bring a favorite dish, and maybe a favorite story.