Betty Jean Sievert Thoma, 84

Betty Jean Sievert Thoma, 84, passed away on Feb. 28, 2011, in Bigfork. She died at Lake View Care Center with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

Betty was born April 7, 1926, “up” the Old San Jose Road out of Soquel, Calif. She weighed 2 pounds at birth and was kept warm in a box by the wood stove. She lived on the family ranch and attended Mountain School until the age of 10. Betty and her parents, Leo and Gertrude (Pingrey) Sievert, then moved to Santa Cruz and lived in the house behind her father's sign shop (now Mackenzie’s Chocolates).

Betty attended Branciforte schools and graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1944. During World War II she was a telephone operator at Camp Roberts.

Betty married Leland Richard “Dick” Thoma in 1948. They were married four short years before Dick's passing in 1952.

While living in Santa Cruz, Betty worked for the telephone company, medical offices and the library at Cabrillo College. Betty was an excellent seamstress and in 1968 purchased a knit fabric shop. She successfully ran the Spinning Wheel for 12 years.

In 1981, Betty moved to Bigfork to be closer to her daughter and her family. She continued to sew and do alterations. She learned stained glass and sold her wares at the Bigfork Festival of the Arts. Betty enjoyed quilting and had a terrific eye for color.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Kathy and husband, Jim Greytak of Bigfork; granddaughter, Erin and husband, Ed Bauer, and great-grandson Flint of Spokane; grandson, Michael Greytak of Missoula; sister, Leah and husband, Ed Gerkey of Surprise, Ariz.; and brother, Ken Sievert of Council, Idaho. 

The mention of Santa Cruz and the beach always made Betty smile. She will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, next to her husband, in her beloved hometown. “All Aboard!”

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, with Pastor Ron Pierce officiating.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Betty's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Betty's tribute wall.