Beverly Jean 'Crick' Withey, 68

Beverly Jean “Crick” Withey, 68, passed away May 14, 2011, in Kalispell, following many years of ill health due to complications of multiple myeloma.

Beverly was born Feb. 28, 1943, in San Luis Obispo, Calif., to Earl Harold and Olive Louise (Thompson) Crick while her father was in the U.S. Army. After her father’s discharge the family returned to McFarland, Mich. At age 13, the family moved to Kalispell where she attended schools, and graduated from Flathead County High School with the class of 1961.

While in high school she worked at the Kalispell hospital until her marriage to Gareth LaCelle in 1962. They had two children while Gareth was in the Air Force and they lived in Texas, California and Washington.

On Oct. 22, 1971, she married Myron J. “Skip” Withey in Kalispell. They each brought two children to this marriage. They lived in North Dakota and California until his retirement from the U.S. Air Force. They then returned to Kalispell for some time before moving to Michigan. While in Michigan, she worked for and retired from Wolverine Shoe Co.

Upon Skip’s retirement from General Motors in 1999, they  returned to Kalispell. They built their home at Village Greens and resided there since. Skip passed away on Dec. 30, 2010. “She has now joined Skip and her parents.”

Beverly had many talents, including building Adam’s rocking horse and other woodworking projects, sewing, needlepointing, crocheting, oil painting, refinishing furniture and restoring several homes.

She loved the Polebridge area where she had her cabin built after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Her nephew Dan Gustafson put in many long days getting “Aunt Bev’s” cabin ready for her to enjoy. She visited the area as often as possible but her dream of spending any length of time there was not possible due to her failing health as well as Skip’s.

After retirement, Beverly and Skip made several trips to Hawaii where they enjoyed the warm days in the middle of winter. Their home was open to all and if anyone needed anything, Beverly and Skip were there to assist all.

Beverly was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the fall of 2005 and received a stem cell transplant in May of 2006. After being in remission for her multiple myeloma she was diagnosed with MS and diabetes. She was a “real fighter” and never complained about her condition, but rather accepted it with a smile.

Beverly is survived by their children, Michael LaCelle of Kalispell, and Judith Matz and her husband Vance of Cedar Springs, Mich., Ken Withey and wife Patty of Spokane, and Kathy Withey, also of Spokane. Also surviving are grandchildren, Adam Matz, Connor LaCelle, Christine, Jason, Stephen, Michael and Thomas Withey; and great-grandchildren, Alexis, Miria and Tiziana Withey. She is also survived by Skip’s brothers, Ron, Dale, Bob and their families. She is survived by her brother, Cliff, and Vickie Crick, of Whitefish; her sisters, Lorraine and Dick Stotts of Kalispell, CarolLou and Melvin “Gus” Gustafson of Somers, and Marlene and Tom Brunaugh of Columbia Falls. Many nieces and nephews also survive and Beverly who was affectionately known as “Aunt Bev” by all.

Her wishes were that donations be made to Wings. There will be a double memorial service for Beverly and Skip at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at their home.

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

An obituary for Beverly’s husband Skip also appears in today’s Inter Lake.