Betty Roll

Family Receiving Friends: Friday, January 2, 2009 from 4:00 to 6:00pm in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth

Visitation: Saturday, January 3, 2009 from 10:00am to 1:00pm in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth

Funeral Service: Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 2:00pm in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.

Burial: will follow in the Forsyth Cemetery

The full life of Betty Joy Roll, age 76 of Forsyth, MT, came to a close on the final day of the year 2008. In the early hours of December 31, 2008 Bettys family was called to her bedside at the Rosebud Health Care Center in Forsyth. Her heart that had been filled with love for her family, overflowed with pride for her grandchildren and showed immense compassion to those around her, finally gave up its valiant fight. After months of battling the heavy clouds of illness and confusion, Betty was granted the greatest gift of the God she trusted; an eternity in His presence.

Betty was born the second of four children to William and Uma (Ozbun) Erickson on October 10, 1932 in Flasher, ND. The lovely Miss Erickson enjoyed a busy family life which included running for Miss Grant County. Betty graduated from Flasher High School in 1950 and went on to earn a teaching certificate before the age of 18. She saw the intense need for teachers in the scattered rural schools in North Dakota. The always industrious and responsible Betty took a position to teach children in grades kindergarten through 8th grade in an isolated country school on the North Dakota plains. Betty proudly recalled the 3 mile round trip walk from her home to the school in all sorts of weather. True to her nature, the only day of missed school in two years of teaching was the day the porch roof collapsed under the weight of the snow and blocked the door of the school.

Following her years of enriching young minds, Betty took the position of Registrar of Deeds at the Grant County Courthouse in Carson, ND until her marriage to Karl Roll on April 1st, 1954; an anniversary date that never failed to bring a smile, and interesting greeting cards, from family and friends. Following a short reception the brand new newlyweds left on that very day to make the first of their many moves together. Karl and Betty settled in Havre, MT where Betty spent some time employed at the Hill County Courthouse until the first of their three children, Douglas, was born in 1955. Jane was born in 1957 followed quickly by Steven on New Years Day 1959. Upon the arrival of her cherished children Bettys true strength and calling became evident. Ever the consummate homemaker, with her home always smartly decorated and neat as a pin, Betty cared for their family while following Karl during the nomadic life of a construction worker.

The Rolls made their home throughout MT and the central plains of the US, including Chester, Glasgow, Great Falls, Nebraska, Fort Smith, Conrad and Libby, until finally settling in Forsyth in 1973. Throughout their travels Betty made countless breakfasts, filled innumerable lunchboxes, wiped away tears and celebrated the accomplishments of her growing children. Some of her favorite moments were spent on the dance floor with her loving partner Karl, cutting the rug to the music she loved so well. Betty was blessed with a burgeoning family which she proudly followed and supported at her husband's side until time and illness took that joy away.

Betty was preceded in death by her mother, Uma, who died when Betty was just 19, her sister Marlene, father William, and brothers-in-law Johnny Fergel and Joe Roll. She is survived by Karl, her faithful partner of 54 years; her children Doug (Pam) Roll, Mayor of Libby MT, Jane (Todd) Deering and Steve (Ginger) Roll all of Forsyth; her grandchildren Krista Roll, Jackie (Chris) Crockford, Dusty and Stuart Deering, and Adam, Beth and Becky Roll, as well as step-grandson Nick Gross; her sister Lois (Joe) Fleck of Fargo, ND, brother Donald (Chris) Erickson of Mott, ND, brothers-in-law Walter Goldade of Yakima, WA and Phillip (Louise) of Las Vegas, NV; sisters-in-law Theresa Fergel, Irene (Duane) Hellman all of Mandan, ND, Pauline Roll of Flasher, ND and numerous nieces and nephews