Grace Elizabeth “Betty” Cowger, age 81, of Wolf Point, Montana died Saturday afternoon, January 12, 2008 at Trinity Hospital in the presence of family members, which Betty would say is her greatest wealth.
Betty was admitted to Wolf Point Trinity Hospital on Wednesday and succumbed quietly three days later. She is now in the presence of her Savior Jesus Christ. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Psalms 116:15).
The youngest of six children, Betty was born in Red Lodge to Ida and Herman Chapman on February 21, 1926. She grew up on the family farm eleven miles west of Red lodge on Willow Creek. Betty rode to school horseback until the family moved to Red Lodge during her 7th grade year. She attended high school in Red Lodge and graduated from Carbon County High School in 1944. Following her graduation she caught the eye of Dale, her husband-to-be, at Natalie’s Café in Red Lodge in 1945 and was married September 14, 1946. They were married 57 years until Dale’s death in 2004.
Betty and Dale left their cattle ranch, eight miles west of Red Lodge, in 1953 with two daughters (Ginger and Jane) and a third on the way. Betty’s sister-in-law gave her orders to bring back a red-headed boy which she did (Dana). Betty and Dale lived in Billings for 51 years, both of them working and raising their three children. For many years until her retirement, Betty worked for the US Geological Survey as a secretary and administrative aid. In 1986, both Betty and Dale retired on the same day in March of that year to spend their retirement years together.
After Dale’s death in 2004, Betty relocated to Wolf Point where she lived with her daughter, Jane, and son-in-law, Ken, for two years. She lived her final two years at Faith Lutheran Home. During that time she enjoyed peaceful and loving relationships with family, members of the Wolf Point community, her church family, and the loving and capable staff of Faith Lutheran Home.
Betty was a faithful mother and wife—gentle, loving, caring, and, in her last years, very likely to say something funny (much to our delight). She died having faith in Jesus Christ. She died with children that love her; she could not be out loved.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, and daughter, Ginger. She is survived by her daughter Jane (Ken) Heidner of Wolf Point, son, Dana (Susan) of Spokane, Washington, seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren (and one more on the way).
She will be missed by her family and friends.
Funeral Services will be on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Gospel Fellowship Church, Wolf Point. Burial will be at a later date at Red Lodge Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.