Elizabeth (Bette) J. Kale, age 92, of Miles City passed away on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Bette was born on May 4, 1920 in Sidney, Montana, the daughter of Alonzo and Rachel (Woodard) Westcott. She attended schools in California and in Sidney, Montana, graduating from Sidney High School in 1938. While attended school, she worked at Yellowstone Mercantile in Sidney. She attended Montana State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics, graduating in 1943. She was a member of Sigma Beta Chi Omega Sorority and taught high school in Savage, Montana for four years. Bette married Elmer (Mike) V. Kale in Savage in 1944. Following their marriage, they worked two years in the grocery business at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. They farmed at Kinsey for seventeen years from 1949-1965. In 1965, they moved to Yellowstone Valley and farmed until Mike’s death in 1977. Bette was the secretary at Farmers Union Insurance for eight years before being employed at First Bank in Miles City where she worked for ten years before retiring in 1985 then worked part time for another ten years.
Bette was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Bette enjoyed growing flowers, baking and cooking the best apple pies and visiting with anyone and traveling. Her biggest joy was watching her extended family in sporting events, school and church activities. Over 40 years ago, Bette became “Gram” not only to her family of loved ones but to all their friends. Bette will be remembered by all for her happy personality and her infectious laugh! We, her family, will always be thankful for the love, care, support and devotion she gave to each and every one of us. We love you Gram and your laugh will ring in our hearts forever.
Bette is survived by her son, Jim (Teresa) Kale of Miles City, MT; four grandsons: Travis (Kari) and Trent (Kristin) all of Billings, MT; Trevor (Armineh) of Glendale, CA; and Tristan (Kate) Kale of Miles City, MT; four great grandchildren: Marian Faith, Payton Lee, Torrin James and Madeliene Harper; a special niece Sheila Kale; a special great niece Kamie Kale and great nephew Joe Schmidt; great great nephews and nieces: Chance Kale, Colten Soennichson, Mila Jo and Kylie Jo Schmidt.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Private family viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 1, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday February 28, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 1, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday February 28, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 1, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
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Dolores H. Steiner says
Sorry to hear about Bette. I will miss her on my Tuesday visits. She was a lovely lady.
Barb Ashley says
I remember Betty working at the bank where my mother (Edith) and aunt (Joan) she was a wonderful, classy lady who was always very nice to me and my family. So sorry for your loss.
Kim and Connie Kilroy says
Thinking of Kamie, Shelia and family through this time. Betty was a very loving Mom and Grandma. She loved going to her grand children’s ball games. She will always be remembered.
Ruth Hagan says
Sheila and Kamie, thinking of you in your loss , a speical lady , Thought and Prayers to you Ruth Hagan
logan klanke says
I remember my first mavs games and all , bette would always take me and chance down there . The moat unselfish lady . RIP Bette u will b greatly missed!
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
We are so sorry to hear of Bette’s passing. She was a neighbor of ours in the good old Kinsey days and was always so kind and loving to us kids! Our heart is with you as you go through this time. Bette left a wonderful legacy that lives on in her family, and we share with you as you celebrate the wonderful great lady she was. Love Cathy & Jim
Sandy McFarland Hays says
Jim, Teresa and Families, I am thinking about you during your time of sorrow. Hang on to all the wonderful memories of Bette.
Deb Schmeling says
Dear Jim,Teresa & Family,
Sorry to hear about your Mom. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God put his comforting arms around each one of you. Bette was a very classy lady.
Deb
JON & BECKY BASS says
To the Family of Betty,
What a gem, She was one heck of a Billings Gazette Carrier. she taught us at 4:30 in the morning, we cruised the neighborhood with her. She became a very special friend to us,
What special memories!!!!! Thanks Betty
You’ll always be in our hearts
Rita Hanley says
Jim and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your Mom. God Bless.
Sharon Wilcox says
Jim, Teresa, and family,
I am sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. She was a beautiful lady. I had not seen her for a long time, but I did think about her. My thoughts and parayers are with youe.
Kirk Mathison says
What great memories of Bette I have… I can see her now sitting around Grandma’s kitchen table. Her smile and laugh was the BEST! My thoughts and prayers are with the Kale family.
Ron & Connie Watts says
What a wonderful lady and a great family she leaves behind. May The Good Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.
Jeanne Green says
No matter what they were doing to Bette, she always had a smile. Her smiling face will be missed at ECU.
Carlene and Clarence Rootc says
To Jim, Teresa and families, So sorry to hear of Bette’s passing. She is with all the Kinsey people now and having a good time. She had a special laugh and was fun to be around. I would help her with Bingo when our Church Circle had Bingo out there. I know she will be missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, Kinsey people always hold a special place in my heart. Carlene (Aastrom) and Clarence Root.
Rena Todoroff says
Kamie, Bubba and Colton:
What a sweet lady!!You have so many good memories with Grandma Betty. She will always be with you in your hearts! Love you, Rena, Mike, Kailey and Garren
Dean Holmes says
What a fine lady. You’ll be missed. You were anchor in my like as well as the Farmers Union Office a long time ago.
Renee Strand says
Jim and family…
So sorry to hear of Bette’s passing. I remember her so well during our Kinsey days and when she worked at the bank. A warm and friendly lady with so much class. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Maureen Larson says
Jim, Teresa & family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time. May your memories comfort you and ease your sorrow. God’s blessings to all of you!
Lynn Linda Powers says
Jim, Teresa and family, so sorry for your loss of Bette. I have fond memories of the times I meet her, what a classy lady.
Shannon & Bryan Holmen says
We will always remember her as laughing!! She was always so cheerful. Our prayers.
Nancy Arnoldt says
Kamie and family;
Sorry to hear about Bette she was a supper lady and will be missed. My prayers are with you and the family
DANIEL AND SUMIKO DINARDI says
WHEN WE LIVED IN MILES CITY NEXT TO BETTY ON FOURTH AND EAGLE ST, WE HAD A GOOD TIME TALKING TO HER. SHE WILL BE MISSED. JIM TERESA AND FAMILY OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU.
DA AND SUMI DINARDI
BILLINGS MT
Karson and Marie Farnum Kluver says
Betty was a very special person. She always met you with a smile and a friendly greeting. She took time with you no matter where you saw her. God Bless You.
Virginia & Duane Strohmayer says
To the Family of Betty Kale
Sorry to hear about your mom. She was a wonderful lady and will be missed by all that knew her. Virginia Meidinger-Strohmayer Richard, Gene , Bob and Jerry Meidinger
Janet Klein says
So very, very sorry for your loss. Bette was such a special lady to many people and and such an impact on those around her!! I will always remember her smile and the laughter from her was so contagious!! My Aunt Edna Rovig and her become very good friends and I will make sure that she is notified…Auntie will miss her too!! Know that memories abound for all of you and when you are sad, just remember she is right beside you and she will remind you with little things!! She will be missed….Hugs to all!!
Cyndy Young Schimke says
I just discovered that Bette passed. So sorry for her family.
I worked with Bette at the bank in Miles City. Whenever we girls would gather at various homes, we ALWAYS invited Bette. She may have been 30 years older than us, but she literally made the party. She would dance and stay with us til the night ended. It wasn’t the same if she wasn’t there. 🙂
I moved to Billings in 1983 but kept in touch with her for many years. She was a true gem!