Beatrice Grace Haglund

Vigil Service: 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2008 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2008 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle

Inurnment: Brockway Cemetery

Beatrice Grace Meleton Haglund, age 89, a longtime resident of Brockway, Montana passed away Friday, December 21, 2007 at the McCone County Nursing Home in Circle, MT.Beechy was born June 9, 1918 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Frank and Gertrude (Jacobs) Meleton. She attended Broadmoor Grammar School, St. Vincents Academy and Byrd High School in Shreveport. After high school she attended various colleges including: Centenary, Our Lady of the Lake, Texas State College for Women, Louisiana State University and Montana State University, pursuing art degrees.Beechy met Phillip Gustavus Haglund while he was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport. On February 26, 1945 Phillip and Beechy were married at St. Johns Catholic Church in Shreveport. After they were married they moved to Bozeman, MT where Phillip finished college at Montana State University. They then moved to the family ranch in Brockway.Beechy enjoyed decorating her home and loved to entertain. She was an accomplished artist and seamstress, designing and making clothes for herself and her family. She will be remembered as a gracious southern belle.

In Shreveport she was a member of the Daughters of American Revolution, Chi Omega alums, Womens Department Club, Colonial Dames and Magna Charta Dames. In Montana she was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, past president of the Brockway Homemakers Club, past president of St. Francis Xavier Altar Society, and a 4-H leader for seven years.Beechy and Phillip loved to travel and maintained friendships around the world. She loved spending time with her grandkids, always taking time to play games, read to them, and doing special projects with them. She compiled an extensive family tree and taught them the value of family heritage.

Beechy is survived by her children, Phil (Dolores) Haglund of Brockway, MT; PamHaglundof Kalispell, MT; and Frank (Pat) Haglund of Hawaii; seven grandchildren, Tami (Kyle) Haynie of Great Falls, MT, Kristi (Daimon) Parrotte of Havre, MT, Mariah (Mark) Rodeghiero of Boise, ID, Michael Eliason of Portland, OR, David Eliason of Kalispell, MT, Lauren Haglund of Salt Lake City, UT and Susan Haglund of Portland, OR; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Ignace Noddy Meleton of Houston, TX; two sisters, Marie Sartori of Shreveport and Barbara Kirchner of Circle; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Phillip, her parents, Frank and Gertrude (Jacobs) Meleton, and three brothers, Frank Meleton Jr., Pierce Meleton, and Clint Meleton.Beechy will be missed by many and leaves behind a legacy of southern charm.

If friends wish, they may make memorials to: Special K Ranch, Columbus, MT 59019; Big Brothers Big Sisters, 137 Main, Kalispell, MT 59901 or a memorial of their choice.

Cremation has taken place.A vigil service will be held 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2008 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2008 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle with inurnment following at Brockway Cemetery.