Lelamae Bridges Westland Chamberlain, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister and friend, was born on April 5, 1921 in Maroa, Illinois, the daughter of Lillian Mae (Short) and Jerry Lester Bridges. Jerry was employed building box cars for the railroad so consequently the family traveled wherever the contracts were let such as Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Iowa. In the spring of 1930, the family moved to Montana to work for Jerry’s older brother, Shirley, who managed a horse ranch owned by Chappel Brothers Corporation. There Lelamae and her younger brother, Clyde Maxy grew up part of a “family” of cowboys who remained her big brothers for many years. She graduated from Frazer High School in 1939. She later married Robert Westland and sons Robert Clyde and William Lee Westland were born of this union. In 1947, Lelamae married Kenneth Doran (Buzz) Chamberlain and they welcomed Jerry Earl into their lives.
When Lelamae wasn’t helping out at Clyde’s ranch, she held various jobs including Bryan’s, Herald News and the Roosevelt County Treasurer’s Office. She also volunteered at several places including the Senior Center and the Thrift Shop as well as her church. She was a very talented gardener, knitter and crocheter. Several years ago, she admired a baby sweater that one of her friends had made and asked for the pattern. When the friend declined to share it, Lelamae bought a sweater from her and was able to copy it. From that pattern she created many, many sweaters for family members and friends. She later passed the pattern on to her daughter-in-law who has kept up the tradition.
Lelamae died at Faith Home in Wolf Point on August 13, 2022 at the age of 101. Loved ones who preceded her in death were her parents, Jerry and Lillian, brother Clyde, sister-in-law Nellie, sons Bobby and Billy, grandchildren Michael and Heather and nephew Greg. She is survived by her son Jerry, grandchildren Lisa, Billy, Jimmy, Danny, Susy and Holly. She had 19 great Grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.
Memorial services for Lelamae and her grandchildren Heather and Michael will be held on Oct. 8, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.