Barbara Jean (Kountz) Sutton, 70

Barbara Jean (Kountz) Sutton, 70, of Great Falls and Circle, "went home to be with the Lord" surrounded by her family, on June 29, 2007, after fighting a courageous battle, from complications due to a transplant surgery.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Clayton Memorial Chapel in Circle. Friends and family are invited to gather at the home of Arne and Shelly Sutton in Circle at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at the Circle Evangelical Church, with burial at the Riverview Cemetery in Circle. Lunch will be provided at Schmidts Banquet Room following the service and burial.

Survivors include son, Brent Sutton, of Yakima, Wash., and grandchildren, Tyler, Molly and Virginia; son, Arne and Shelly Sutton of Circle, and grandchildren, Andrea and Lynae; daughter, Shelli and Mark Hilde of Kalispell, and grandchildren, Austin and Emily; daughter, Sherri and Jeff Walla of Great Falls, and grandchildren, Jerrod and Katie; sisters, Sharon and Ron Reather of Billings, and Beverly and Jerry Eissinger of Circle; brothers, Harvey and Patrice Kountz of Brockway, and Brad and Mary Kountz of Brockway; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Barbara Jean was born, to the delight of her parents, Jack and Letha Kountz, on July 27, 1936, in Miles City. Being the oldest of five children, she cherished the time she spent with her parents, brothers and sisters. She had a great influence on her siblings and they loved her dearly.

Barbara grew up and attended school in Brockway, graduating from Circle High School in May, 1954. She met the love of her life that same year during harvest. Henry and Barbara were married six weeks later on Sept. 15 and honeymooned every day for 48 years, until Henry's death.

After living a short time in Oklahoma where both attended college, Henry and Barbara moved to Hysham, where they both taught high school classes. Barbara was the librarian and English teacher for five years before returning to Circle where they began building their family farm and raising their children.

Barbara worked by her husband's side in the field while maintaining a loving home for her family. She had an incredible ability to make any house a home. It was not unusual for a neighbor, friend, relative, or stranger to arrive at her door at meal time. She was known for her good cooking and very particular about having plenty of food for everyone. No one ever left her home hungry! Barbara was known for making the best pies in the state.

Upon retirement in 1996, Henry and Barbara moved to Great Falls where they spent their golden years living on the Missouri River. Barbara thought she was in heaven because she lived in a city where Target and the shopping mall were only 10 minutes away. Barbara always boasted that her time in Great Falls was like a permanent vacation.

Family was the most important part of Barbara's life. She never missed any of her children's and grandchildren's events. She was their number one fan! Barbara and Henry were active members of the Evangelical Church of Circle where they instilled Christian values in their home.

Barbara was an active member of the American Red Cross Association and at one time held the position of president. The cornerstones of her social life were her monthly meetings with dear friends in the Brockway Homemakers Club and playing cards at the Senior Citizens Center. She built lifelong friendships across the country and cherished them all.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 48 years, Henry Sutton, and her parents Jack and Letha (Mothershead) Kountz.