Betty Marie (Fischbach) Peters

Betty Marie Fischbach Peters, age 95, a lifelong Billings resident and musician, died of natural causes on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2023. She was born on Sept. 12, 1928, to Leslie and Verna Fischbach. She grew up on the 400 block of Clark Avenue.

She met the love of her life, George Herbert Peters, at the University of Michigan, where they both majored in music. They married on Aug. 9, 1951, at St. Patrick’s Church in Billings. They were married for 67 years. They raised their eight children just down the street from her sister, Phyllis Geiger, and her family of eight children.

Music was a huge part of Betty’s life. She instilled a love of music and performing in her children and her private lesson students. Betty and George owned Peters House of Music on Grand Avenue for 20 years. She played the organ and piano for St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. She played music for funerals, and played Taps on her trumpet at the cemeteries on Memorial Day weekends. She was a well-known accompanist in music circles.

Colorful fabric graced her home, as she was a gifted quilter, sewing quilts for all her children’s graduations and the birth of grandchildren. She sewed all the family member’s clothes, including prom dresses for her daughters, and a maroon tuxedo for Allen. Betty was artistic. She loved to learn and work with her hands.

She was generous and caring. She handknit hundreds of baby hats and booties, and sewed quilted blankets for newborn babies at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Betty carefully handmade rosaries and sent many bundles of 500 plus overseas. She also crafted special rosaries for women in prison.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, George; daughter Dawn Dick (Darrel); son David; daughter-in-law Valerie; and granddaughter Heather Lauwers Schlomer. She is survived by Allyson Lauwers (Ronald), Stephanie Dunagan, Allen Peters, Leonard Peters (Jodi), Lore Perez (Raul) and Phillip Peters (Becky); 16 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and one great-grandchild on the way.

Visitation will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, with a vigil service at 6 p.m., at Michelotti-Sawyers, 1001 Alderson Ave. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2055 Woody Drive. A reception will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Church music program.