Bette Sue Zager Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

With heaviest of hearts the family of Michael Eric Zager announces the death of Bette Sue Zager, DNP, stalwart fighter for humanity, veterans and most especially her Savior. Bette Sue Zager, (Known to most as Sue), 69, was reunited with the Lord at her home at 1:05 a.m. on June 22nd, 2019 with her family by her side after an 18-month battle with cancer. From as far back as she could remember, until her last moments of life on earth, Sue has had a relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sue was shy when talking about her life accomplishments, and she attributed anything good to her faith. Sue said, “With agape love anything is possible,” and credits that life lesson to her Mother’s teaching, and eventually passed this lesson to her children. Sue valued freedom and equality, and she did her best to practice it. She was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but worked zealously for everything and everyone she loved. Sue treasured family, friends, and a simple life. In her medical practice, Sue’s area of interest was the field of Diabetes and Diabetes prevention. She also had a passion for treating, protecting, and caring for American Veterans. Sue believed America is still one nation under God, and she was very active in her church. She was never pushy about her faith, but would share with anyone who asked. Like most of us, Sue’s life experience was full of joy, sadness, victories, and failures but, she had an uncanny ability to quietly learn from them and share her experiences with others in need if the opportunity presented itself. Most that knew her knew that she was no saint and far from perfect. However, the same would agree, that Sue was no quitter. She loved being a bride, mother, grandmother, and healthcare provider. She loved animals, the beach, sunflowers, and much more. Sue will be missed, but what she gave will be passed on to those she touched. She was born to parents, Warren Wesley Rivenburgh and Ruth Elizabeth Touchie, from Middlebury, New York on October 3rd, 1949. She graduated with honors, Summa Cum Laude having achieved her RSN, MSN, and DNP from Arizona State University, and California State University in Long Beach. Sue married Pastor Michael Eric Zager in Scottsdale, Arizona on August 10, 2002. She moved to Prescott Valley, Arizona in 2002 after having lived in Middlebury, New York 1949- 1961, Mesa, Arizona 1961-1971, San Diego, CA 1971-1976, Garden Grove, CA 1976-1980, Vista, CA 1980-1997, Phoenix, AZ 1997-2001. Sue served as a Nurse Practitioner at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas, California. She also worked for Dr. Dora White, and most recently, the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Prescott, Arizona, where she retired in March of 2013. She served as an American Diabetes Association Leader from 2001-2013 and proudly served as an Ethics Committee chair with the VA Medical Center in Prescott, Arizona. Sue was a part of the Living Waters Christian Fellowship leadership for 10 years. She was also active in Christ Quest Ministries for 7 years. She enjoyed teaching with the Bethel Bible Series as well. She is preceded in death by her sister, Melissa Diane Buzzelli and grandparents, Perry and Ruth Effner, and Michael and Warren Rivenburgh. Those left to honor Sue’s memory include her husband, Pastor Michael Eric Zager; mother, Ruth Elizabeth Martindale; son, Ryan S. and wife Melissa Overgard, and grandchildren, Ashley Elizabeth and Nicholas Overgard of Peoria, Arizona; daughter, Heidi Lyn and husband Dave Sanderson and grandchildren, Natalie & Alex Sanderson of Kirkland, Washington; daughter; Darci Lyn Zager of Blanchard, OK; brothers and sisters: Steven Michael Rivenburgh of Middlebury, NY; Alis Seim of Prescott Valley, Arizona; Connie Loisa Williams of Sequim, Washington and Margaret Kay Cook of Cave Creek, Arizona. In lieu of flowers or donations, we request your attendance & fellowship if possible, to share in our memories.

Bette Sue Zager

October 3, 1949 - June 22, 2019