Nellie Hislop Bertrand, 96

Nellie Hislop Bertrand, 96, passed away May 6, 2009, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

In the early 1900s, Andrew and Anette Hislop moved from Scotland to Canada with their three oldest children. On June 5, 1912, their fourth child, Nellie, was born. The family moved by wagon to the town of Hinsdale in the upper regions of Montana. The children attended grade school there before the family moved again to Butte. Nellie remembers her four brothers riding horses to school.

Her father worked in the mines of Butte.

When she was a teenager, Nellie met Henry Bertrand, who was dating her sister at the time. Nellie and Henry began dating and were married Nov. 28, 1930. They had two boys, Henry "Jerry" and Bobbie. Jerry now lives in Bigfork.

The family spent many summers at their cabin in West Yellowstone and the Elm Resort in Bigfork, which was owned by her younger brother. They enjoyed hunting and fishing in Wisdom and visiting relatives in Reno, Nev.

Later, while living in San Jose, Calif., Nellie owned and operated a motel. She loved her home in California. Her favorite hobbies include knitting, sewing, cooking and gardening. She was very social.

During her retirement years she traveled to the Caribbean on a cruise. She also went on a tour of China.

Nellie is survived by her son, Henry "Jerry," and his wife, Linda; her brother, Robert Hislop; her granddaughter, Jennifer Nellie Bertrand Montoya; and her great-grandson, Marcus Montoya.

A special thanks to Lindy Benson McGill for being there twenty-four/seven.