Jacquelyn Little, 85

Jacquelyn "Jacqy" G. Little, 85, passed away on Dec. 19, 2023, at her home. She was born March 26, 1938, to Donald and Josephine Mathis in Payette, Idaho. Her family later moved to Billings where she graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1956. 

She was active in plays, band, drill team, Girl Scouts, and Jobs Daughters where she went on to be Grand Honor Queen. 

She received her acceptance letter from Montana State College in 1956. She graduated college in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Her first teaching job was in Winifred, Montana. 

She moved to Spokane and was married in 1961. It was a short time in Spokane and then back to Great Falls, where she worked for Etna Life and Casualty for 10 years. 

Her daughter, Tracy Henderson, was born in 1962, and her son, Scott Little, in 1965. The family then moved to Whitefish in 1972. 

She quickly got involved in extracurricular activities in Whitefish. She was a Girl Scout leader for years. She was involved in Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, Boy Scouts, and Soroptimist. She was able to receive her 50-year pin as a member of Beta Sigma Phi in November of this year. She was a woman of service. 

She owned and operated Big Mountain Trailer Court and several rentals in Whitefish. She owned and managed J&J Ventures, a large costume jewelry wholesale business along with several retail stores in Washington and Montana.  

She loved to ski Big Mountain, water ski on Whitefish Lake and was a member of the Whitefish Lake Golf Course for many years. Whitefish proved to be a wonderful place to live for the remainder of her life.  

She is survived by her daughter, Tracy Henderson; grandson, Tyler Holtet; and great-granddaughter, Kalea Holtet. 

She was preceded in death by her son, Scott Little.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Jan. 11, performed by Pastor Paul Hayden at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish. 

Austin Funeral and Cremation Services in Whitefish is caring for the family. 

To send online condolences please visit Jacqy’s tribute page at www.austinfh.com.