Betty L. Claridge Miller, 82
Betty L. Claridge Miller, 82
Betty L. Claridge Miller, 82, passed away at Immanuel Lutheran Home on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, after a 14-year battle with Alzheimer’s.
Betty was born May 24, 1929, to Lance and Lula Claridge, the second of five children. She grew up on the family farm west of Kalispell in the Bald Rock area.
In 1946, she married her longtime beau Ken Miller and they raised five children. Betty was a stay-at-home mom, although every summer you could find her working at the county fair, and in the fall she helped Dad cut, haul and sell Christmas trees. They spent 40-plus years taking their trees to Whittier, Calif., for the Christmas season where she made numerous friends.
She loved to crochet, making many colorful afghans for everyone she knew; she also loved flowers and took great pride in her yard, especially her rose bushes.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; her parents, Lance and Lula; one granddaughter, Kathy; and her brother, Loren.
“We know that they were all there to greet her when she entered the gates of Heaven.”
She leaves behind her five children, Roxy and Roger Smith, Ray and Randi Miller, Rod and Carol Miller, and Ronda and Joe Hermosillo, all of Kalispell; and Reta and Jack David of Columbia Falls; grandchildren, Jerry Smith, Tami Engler, Carla Williams, Cori Sousi, Destry and Tony David, Derick and Katie, and Trevin and Colton Hermosillo; and several great-grandchildren; sisters Evelyn Heuscher, Marilyn and Bob Cartwright, and Verla Guererro; as well as many other relatives and friends.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of the Bratsburg unit at the Immanuel Lutheran Home for the love and care you have shown Mom and our family during her time with you.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Davey officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Creek Cemetery.
Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.