Betty Alyce Rivers was born in Seward, Nebraska on January 13, 1928, to Carl and Pauline (Ashton) Hagemoser and entered the gates of Heaven on October 17, 2025, at the age of 97 years, 9 months and 4 days.

Betty attended school in Seward and graduated from Seward High School in 1945. She was a faithful member of Seward United Methodist Church. On January 2, 1948, she married Max Pettijohn from Beaver Crossing. Of this union they had 3 children, Steven, David, and Darcy. As an Air Force wife of 32 years, Betty traveled extensively to places like Okinawa; Gulfport, Mississippi; Victorville, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Newport, Rhode Island; Langley, Virginia; Honolulu, Hawaii; and finally, San Antonio, Texas since 1973. She met so many wonderful friends along the way and still kept in touch with many of them. After raising her children, Betty became a dental assistant and practiced in Virginia and Texas.

After Max’s passing in 1980, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Wendell “Wendy” Rivers, a retired naval Captain and former Vietnam POW (7 1/2 years). They married July 2, 1981, and enjoyed just shy of 29 wonderful years together. After his retirement, Wendy became a long-haul truck driver. Betty enjoyed joining him on some of his trips across the United States. Betty loved Nebraska Husker football, playing bridge, entertaining, crossword puzzles, and knitting, but most importantly she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, especially when they all gathered to celebrate her birthday each January. She spent the last 11 years residing independently at The Waterford of Thousand Oaks, where she already knew a few friends, but quickly made lots of new friends, too. The staff and residents there truly loved her and often spoke of how kind she was. They fondly referred to her as Betty Boop.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Pauline (Ashton) Hagemoser; husband, Max Pettijohn; husband, Wendell Rivers; sister, Dorothy Jean “Jeannie” Neiderschmidt and husband, Arnold; brother, Don Hagemoser and wife, Jeannie; sister-in law, Elaine Hagemoser; son, Steven Pettijohn and wife, Anna; step-son, Clay Rivers; granddaughter, Lindsay Lewis; nephew, Gary Neiderschmidt; niece, Dana Hickey, and Steve Carr (husband of Denny).

Survivors cherishing her memory include her son, David Pettijohn of Boerne, Texas; daughter, Darcy Osborne and husband, Ron of Frisco, Texas; step-daughter, Charlotte “Gex” Morgan; step-son, Stuart Rivers; grandchildren, Clinton, Troy, Devon, Nicholas, Burkely, Katie, Blake, Amanda, Madeline “Maddie”; several great-grandchildren; niece, Kelly Stahly and husband, Mike; niece, Denny Carr; nephew, J Don “Corky” Hagemoser and wife, Lori; Joe Hickey (husband of Dana); and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Betty is remembered for her faith, her kind and gentle spirit, her generosity, and her devotion to her friends and family. Her legacy lives on in all of us who loved her beyond measure.

The family of Betty Rivers wishes to invite you to join them for food and fellowship at the Seward United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall immediately following the Memorial Service.