Obituary for BettyLou Robinson Thulesen
BettyLou was born September 25th, 1928 in Douglas, Wyoming to George Lesley (GL) and Myrtle Robinson (Paisley). She was the last of 8 children; Edithe, Bernice, Ruth, Ken, Frank (Bob), George, Ann and BettyLou. There was a 20-year span between Edithe and BettyLou. She spent her first years on the home place in central Wyoming near Verse (which is now renamed Bill). Much of her growing up years during the “Dirty Thirties” involved moving from place to place wherever they could find enough grass and water for the horses her father trained. She told how the moves meant a new school almost yearly for her. One early school year was even spent in a sheep wagon with her sister, Bernice, who was teaching at Brown Creek country school nearby. Another year she was sent to Oshkosh Nebraska to live with her Aunt Cora because there was no school near their home.
Eventually the family moved to southeastern Montana where she went to school near Biddle and then high school in Broadus. The next move was to the Morton place on Spring Creek in the Powderville area and so attended her Senior year at Custer County High School in Miles City. Due to the many moves she had to spend an extra half year at CCHS to make up a deficiency in Montana history. She loved music and played saxophone in band but was most known for her beautiful singing voice. She excelled in choir and had a brief stint as a supper club singer at the old Cross Roads Inn in Miles City.
It was while attending her senior year that she was unofficially introduced to who would become her future husband, Jim. She was hit by a paper airplane from the back of Study Hall, but didn’t know until later that it had been Dad who launched it. After graduating, the official introduction came while at a dance at the Spring Creek School by Mrs. Carl Krutzfeldt, Marie. Marie had told her that Jim was shy and would come late and stand at the door so she would do the matchmaking for them. Jim Thulesen and BettyLou were married on November 25th, 1950 in the old Presbyterian Church building, from which the steeple is still on display at the Range Rider’s Museum in Miles City. From this union was born David, Dick, Karen, Steven and Elizabeth.
She and Jim farmed and ranched the place on Corral Creek until it sold in 1974. They then moved the family to Miles City. While in Miles City, she altered wedding dresses for Lila Nelson, started a Kindergarten School with Nonie Zook, and opened a Christian Book Store located in the back of the original Cellar Casino building. She became involved in ladies’ Bible studies and Christian Women’s Club. Later, she worked at the fabric shop for Carla Muggli.
After the death of her youngest son, Steve, to Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2000, Jim & BettyLou moved to Sheridan, Wyoming to be near their youngest daughter, Libby. BettyLou loved to garden and had great success with African violets inside and roses outside. She enjoyed sewing and crochet and excelled in embroidery creating many beautiful pieces with perfect tiny stiches. In 2005 they moved to Newell, South Dakota to be near their other daughter, Karen. While there she cared for her sister Ann who had become blind, started a ladies Bible study, and developed an interest in politics. She cared deeply for our country and was vigilant about praying for our leaders and letting everyone know who shouldn’t be in office! In 2013, they moved back to Sheridan to be nearer doctors they liked. At 85 years old she and Jim built a carport on their home…by themselves! It was in Sheridan on December 30th, 2023 that BettyLou passed away at 95 years of age from complications with congestive heart failure. She was preceded in death by her parents, all her siblings, son Steve, and her husband, Jim. She is survived by her sons David, (Lynn) and Dick, (Thi Ha Loan), and daughters Karen, (John Brennan) and Libby, (Mike Morris), 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to give in memory of mom, please do so by making out your check to “Grace Bible Church” with a note on the memo line indicating “Team Vanuatu” or “Memorial for BettyLou Thulesen”. You can also give electronically on the Church’s web site with the same notations.
BettyLou Thulesen, age 95, of Miles City.
September 25, 1928 – December 30, 2023
Myrna and Mike Higgins says
We are praying for all of you that comfort and peace are yours along with this sorrow and loss. I loved Betty Lou and will be thankful my entire life for having had a relationship with her a precious woman of God.
Cindy Burris says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Thuleson families. May memories keep you comforted. Carter families.
Rita says
So sorry for your loss, she was a special lady.
Bobbi Carlson says
Sorry to learn of Betty Lu’s death. She was special to the entire Jurica family. i remember when her sister Ann Robinson taught in our one-room schoolhouse, and Betty Lu spent time visiting her–and us. Good memories.
Ruben and June Opp says
Thuleson family,we are so sorry to see where your mother and grand mother has gone to join her husband and her Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Prayers Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time and the days ahead.
May God bless and comfort you all.
Ruben and June Opp
Lary & Sue Poulton says
Karen and Family, sorry to hear of the passing of Betty Lu. I am sure George met her at the gate and had it open for her. Thoughts and prayers.
Burl Mulkey says
Sorry for you loss
Tom and Lillian Ostendorf says
Fond memories of Betty Lou and Jim growing up as neighbors. We are so sorry to learn of her passing. Prayers of comfort to all her family.
Tom and Lillian
Marcia Heydt says
Rest In Peace, Betty Lou. My condolences to the entire family.
Hazel Stabler says
Dave & Lynn I am so sorry for your loss.
Our loss is Heaven’s gain!
She and Jim are together again.
Diana Elwood says
My condolences to all the family, I have fond memories of Betty Lou. May God be with all the family.
Chris and Dennis Young says
Many good memories of your parents. Our sympathy to the entire family.
Mike & Judy Toennis says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
Jason and Bonnie says
Bonnie and I are sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers. We pray that God will comfort you and give you peace.
Penny (Sumer) Schmidt says
Karen, I was sorry to learn of your mom’s passing. I hope your memories bring you comfort and peace.
Leo and Jo Jurica says
Thulesen family,
We are so very sorry to hear of the loss of your dear mother. We enjoyed a great relationship with cousin JIM and Betty Lou. Memories of them are precious to us, our sincere sympathy to all of you.
Maureen Larson says
Dear Thulesen family ,
So very sorry to hear of the passing of Betty Lou. May you all be comforted by the knowledge that you will see her again and she is now with our Lord and Savior. May you also draw comfort from your many memories . My heart and prayers go out to all of you during this difficult time. God bless you all!
Bill and Sandy Jensen says
Dear Thulesen Family,
BettyLou, Jim and family always provide me with many happy memories of growing up on Spring Creek. Wonderful neighbors and great friends. Heaven has gained a very dear Lady. Our sincere condolences to all her family.
Denny and Ardelle Jurica says
Betty Lou was/is a beautiful person inside and out. She is living in the presence of the Lord now singing with her fabulous voice. Her work in the Lord was steady and gentle. To her family, peace and assurance she and Jim are rejoicing together. It was a privilege to know them both. God Bless.
Bill Moths says
To the Thulesen Family, although my heart aches, I am so happy that your mom and dad are together once again after being apart for a short time. I know she is giving “bubba” a big hug. I rejoice in the knowledge that we will all be together again someday. I will miss her so much, but will cherish my lifetime of memories! May the Lord be with you always.
Lynn Praetorius says
I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I remember going to Sheridan, with Kay to visit your folks. Wonderful and kind folks. My deepest sympathies to you all.
Mary Luhr says
Dave, Lynn and Karen,
So sorry for your loss! May the Lord bless you in this time of grieving and always.
Karen Losing says
Dear Thulesen Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss of BettyLou. She was a remarkable lady. I will always remember how kind she was when she welcomed me to Miles City when I first moved there. I really appreciated that she would be so thoughtful. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
Lynn and Judy Strobel says
Dave and Lynn,
Our condolences to you on the loss of Betty Lou. She was such a nice lady. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Shannon and Bryan says
So sorry Dave and family. Sounds like she kept pretty busy her whole life. What a blessing.
Pam Nisley Dave Nisley says
Taken me a bit to share….. she is our other mother!
Our families were and continue to be close!
Her faith in Jesus was unwavering, we will meet again!
Praying that all of us that love her, will choose Jesus ❤️!
Deb Schmeling says
To my second family who we grew up with. Bettylou was a great second mom to us in our childhood years. She loved unconditionally and was a helping hand to my mom. They were best buds on corral creek. I know there is a great reunion going on in Heaven right now. May God wrap His arms around each one of you. Hugs and Love, Deb
Bertha L Kramlich says
Bettylou was such a lovely friend to me. I have excellent memories of her and of Jim. I still have letters from her in her beautiful writing and many photos of their Thulesen family.