Elizabeth “Betty” A. Long
March 1, 1924 ~ June, 16 2008
Elizabeth “Betty” A. Long, age 84, of Wolf Point, Montana passed away Monday, June 16, 2008 at Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman, Montana.
Elizabeth Ann Bates was born to Arthur and Evelyn (Bakken) Bates on March 1, 1924 in Wolf Point, MT.
She moved with her family to Calexico, CA when she was very young. Betty attended school in Calexico, CA. When she was nine the family moved back to Montana and lived at Sand Creek in McCone County where she attended country schools. Betty graduated from Circle High School. She went by train to Great Falls to attend the College of Great Falls and received her teaching certificate. She returned to McCone County and taught country schools in the Nickwall and Sand Creek communities.
On June 10, 1945 Betty married Adrien “Shorty” Long at the old First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. They farmed south of Wolf Point and were blessed with six children: Loretta, Arlie, Myron, Audrey, Laurie and Cindy. Being active in farming and a spraying business, Betty enjoyed traveling with her husband and was a former Queen of the Montana Flying Farmers. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed the sport with her many bowling friends.
Betty was Chairman of the American Cancer Society in Roosevelt County. She was an active lifelong member at First Lutheran Church, taught Sunday School and was active in her circle group (WELCA). Betty loved her flowers, especially her petunias and she dearly loved her children and grandchildren and enjoyed her many friends. For the past 18 years she wintered in Apache Junction, AZ.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Shorty and her grandson Matthew Thomas.
She is survived by her children: Loretta (Clyde) Eddy of Kansas City, MO, Arlie (Barb) Long of Kilgore, TX, Myron (Mary) Long of Wolf Point, MT, Audrey (Lee) Pipal of Wolf Point, MT, Laurie Thomas of Manhattan, MT, and Cindy (Bob) Ballard of Bozeman, MT; a brother, Arthur (Mary) Bates of Wolf Point, MT; 20 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and several nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 20, 2008 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point starting at 1:00 p.m. with a family service at 7:00 p.m. Her funeral service will be Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point with Rev. Greg Holler-Dinsmore officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
C0ndolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.