Beverly Jean Price, 70

Our beloved mother, Beverly Jean Price, 70, of Columbia Falls, passed “into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” on July 2, 2017, at home surrounded by her loving family and companion Johnny Leubner. Bev fought a long and courageous battle of cancer and many other illnesses.

Bev was born on April 14, 1947, in Saint Ignatius to Ralph Lloyd Price and Laura Adelaid Cookingham-Price. Bev was the youngest of five children and had many challenges throughout her life. Bev lost her mother at the age of 14, but continued to move forward despite the loss of her mother. Bev’s family traveled a lot as her father had five children to support after the loss of his wife. Shortly thereafter, her father had a mental breakdown and was committed to Warm Springs where he lived until his passing in 1980. Soon after her father was committed, Beverly and her siblings lived with many different family members until they were old enough to work and provide for themselves.

In February 1969 she gave birth to a baby girl, whom she named after her mother, Laura. Six months later Bev met Leonard Ray Bowers and his three children Sheila, Kerry and Stephen. Beverly and Leonard were married Jan. 10, 1970, and became one family. Together they had two daughters Tonya and Tracy. Beverly and Leonard’s marriage unfortunately ended in the early ‘80s.

Several years later she met her companion Johnny Leubner with whom she spent the past 28 years. Johnny loved Bev with all of his heart; he was there for her through the good times and the bad. Beverly’s life was extremely challenging, despite all her health issues Johnny stuck by her side until her passing. Bev’s family is forever grateful for all the help and support Johnny has given throughout the years and especially this last 15 months.

Beverly’s passions include, first and foremost, bingo, which she even attended only days before her passing. Her other passions included crocheting, gardening, canning, hunting, fishing, camping, huckleberry picking, and the love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In 2009/2010 Beverly received her first diagnosis of throat cancer. Beverly underwent surgery and 30 rounds of radiation and went into remission and became cancer free. Unfortunately in April of 2016 she received her second diagnosis of throat cancer; this time it was in her voice box. Bev underwent surgery for the second time to remove the cancer, which also included removing her voice box. This made Bev’s life even more challenging as she could no longer speak and preferred a whiteboard and markers to communicate. Dr. Tubbs wouldn’t allow her to use her whiteboard and made her use her electronic larynx during her appointments, which she despised. Her daughter Tonya bought her a smartphone and she learned to text. She struggled at this point from day to day but courageously continued to live. In May of 2017 she once again received the devastating news her throat cancer had returned for the third time in only seven years. This time the cancer was inoperable as it laid on her carotid artery. Bev was given six to 12 months to live and chose not to undergo aggressive chemotherapy, but to live her life to the fullest and enjoy the time she had remaining and to spend it with her family, friends and loved ones. Unfortunately Bev’s life came to an end sooner than we had wished. Bev was a fighter and fought ‘til her very last breath.

Beverly was preceded in death by her father Ralph Lloyd Price, her mother Laura Adelaid Cookingham-Price, her brothers Ralph Leroy Price Jr. and Paul Keith Price, and her sisters Lenora Faye Mansley and Eleanor June Staats.

Beverly is survived by her children, Laura Jean Price of Columbia Falls, Tonya Kay Petero (Benjamin) of Kingman, Arizona, Tracy Lynn Ellsworth (Tom) of Libby, Sheila Rae Mills (Mike) of Troy, Kerry Lynn Bowers (Grace Charee) of Libby, and Stephen Henry Bowers (Lori) of Libby; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

As requested by Beverly, there will be no services or viewing. Beverly requested cremation by the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Her family will have a celebration of life on her birthday April 14th of 2018. This is for all family, friends and those who knew and loved her. The location and time of celebration of life will be announced in the local newspaper in March of 2018. Family and close friends will be notified with plenty of time for travel preparations.