Betty Cunningham, 95, of Hysham, passed away at the home of her son on April 27, 2017. She was born in Myers, MT, to Clarence and Sophie (Haveman) VanLuvanee on October 8, 1921. She attended grade school at the Rancher School and loved to tell stories of riding her favorite pony, Chris, to school every day. She graduated from Hysham High School in 1940.
On February 5, 1940, she married John Cunningham. They continued living in the Myers area while raising their family of three boys. Betty enjoyed her years of working as the scale lady at the Myers Beet Dump. They moved to Hysham in 1968. Betty worked as a kitchen helper at the school before opening her home to the children of the community and becoming ‘Grandma Betty’ to all. Betty loved to care for people, especially feeding them. You never left her home without eating something. She loved to drink hot tea and visit. Growing things was another passion. She loved her garden, especially her asparagus plants. She also created many beautiful embroidery table cloths and pillow cases. Making mints for celebrations and almond roca for Christmas gifts were two things that Betty was known for.
Betty loved all her boys, but was surprised and overjoyed when she was finally blessed with a girl when Darcie was born in 1988.
Betty was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church in Hysham. She was also on the ambulance crew, a member of the health board, and civil defense coordinator in years past.
When she was unable to live alone in 2013, she moved down the street to live with Leo and Marj. She enjoyed having her grandchildren and great-grandchildren visit. She loved helping take care of them and watching them grow.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Carol Cunningham.
Betty is survived by two sons, Clarence ‘Pat’ (Vicki) Cunningham of Billings and Leo (Marj) Cunningham of Hysham; a daughter-in-law, Tanya (Scott) Hardgrove of Hysham; eleven grandchildren: Kelly (Milli) Cunningham of Olympia, WA, Kyle Cunningham of Steilacoom, WA, Justin Putnam of Kansas City, KS, Nathan (Jamie) Putnam of Bozeman, Ryan (Stacy)Putnam of Maple Valley, WA, Ryan (Aubree) Cunningham of Billings, Kevin Cunningham of Billings, Nick (Megan) Cunningham of Billings, Burke (Rachel) Cunningham of Billings, Darcie (Tony) Klein of Hysham, and John Cunningham of Hysham; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ellen (George) Parker of Austin, TX; and a brother, Omer (Myrna) VanLuvanee of Billings. A special thanks to Lenore Welch for her many hours of visiting and helping out so we were able to keep Grandma Betty home with us.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday April 30, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 PM
Monday May 1, 2017
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Hysham , Montana 59038
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday April 30, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 PM
Monday May 1, 2017
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Hysham , Montana 59038
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Kimberlea Emmons says
Gramma Betty will always hold a very special place in my heart. So many wonderful memories growing up in her house with every other child she cared for! Sneaking rhubarb, climbing in and out of the yellow John’s yellow pickup, building a “fort” under the HUGE tree in the front yard, getting to eat white bread and butter for a snack (still my favorite)…and watching every 4th of July parade of my entire life from the shade in her front yard. Thank you Gramma Betty…for sharing your heart and your soul with so many of us. <3
All our love, Brett, Kimber, Chi, ~Kenna~, Cale, Kensi, Caty and Karlee
Hilaree Emmons says
Gramma Betty is a very special lady to many, she will always have a special place in my heart. What an amazing person and what a remarkable life. I feel so lucky that I was able to be a part of her life. Thank you for sharing your love with us all.
Keeping you in our prayers — Hilaree, Joe, Tehya, Kimimila & Wawokiya
Kirsten and Jack Crocker says
Betty will always have a place in my heart. I have so many memories of her and John growing up in Hysham. My prayers and condolences go out to the Cunningham Family. Gramma Betty will be missed by all.
Kirsten “Belgarde” Crocker
Jake Kolb says
I was always remember Betty. She was such a great person and was always happy to see you no matter what was going on. She raised such a great family and we are thinking of you all.
Jake Kolb
Janiece Adams says
Gramdma Betty was not just Grandma to the Cunningham family. She was to All who knew and loved her. She always had time to listen to whatever you had to tell her. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Pam and Skip White says
There are no words that can express how much Grandma Betty will be missed and how much she has done. She was one of a kind and we feel so lucky she was Grandma to Jason and Levi .
David Pelton says
My thoughts are with the extended Cungham family. John and Betty raised a great family. Betty changed the world by understanding that we just need to love and be loved. David Pelton
Kelly (Cartwright) and Sam Handley says
Dear Leo and family,
We am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!
Rick & Karen Mouat says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of Betty. She was such a wonderful presence in the community and touched many lives.