Marie Elizabeth Belcher, 88

Marie Elizabeth Belcher, 88, of Bozeman passed away at Mercy Manor in Bozeman on Dec. 2, 2006. She was born in Edgemont, S.D., on July 31, 1918, to Grant and Cora (Hand) Hacker.

Marie married Carroll W. Erickson in 1935 and they farmed near Staples, Minn. Carroll passed away in 1947, and Marie moved to Three Forks.

The fall of 1950, she married Elwin Belcher, and they moved to Bozeman.

She enjoyed her flower beds and grew a very large garden. She loved canning her fruits and vegetables.

She will be remembered by her family and friends for her backyard picnics. She also enjoyed fishing in rivers and lakes, and especially enjoyed catching paddle fish.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; three brothers; one sister, one daughter; three sons-in-law; one granddaughter; and two great-grandsons.

Marie is survived by three daughters, Donna Edgerley of Bozeman, E. Lorri and Bill Miller of Yuma, Ariz., and Bigfork, and Deloris and Donald Barney of Belgrade; 15 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren. She also issurvived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Bozeman United Methodist Church. Interment will be afterward in Sunset Hills Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Bozeman United Methodist Church, 121 S. Willson, Bozeman, MT 59715; the American Cancer Society, 550 N. 31st St., Ste. 103, Billings, MT 59101; or to a charity of choice.