Betty Western

Betty Joann Western, 80, of Great Falls, passed away on December 6, 2014 of natural causes.A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Joann was born on July 1, 1934 in Columbus, Georgia. At age 11 she moved to La Center, Washington where she was taken in by a loving family, Oscar and Iola Payne. She grew up on the Washington coast with her brother Ward Payne and she loved her parents Oscar and Iola with all her heart. She enjoyed playing many sports with her brother and the neighborhood children; including basketball and football. She could throw a ball as well as any of the boys. She also played on a championship softball team. She enjoyed playing music with the family and it was her father who taught her to play the saxophone. She graduated from La Center High School in Clark County, Washington on May 28, 1953. She was a member of the glee club and 4H during high school. She went to many state competitions and won several state titles for cooking for many years in a row while in 4H. After high school she worked for Myers and Franks Department Store in Portland, Oregon where she learned the art of fashion.Joann was married to Gaynor Western on February 14, 1959 and that same year moved to Great Falls. She was blessed with three boys, Dennis, Steven, and Scott Western. She later divorced Gaynor in 1971. The boys were the love of her life. She worked as an LPN at Deaconess Hospital and she was a licensed dental assistant. In September, 1976 she went to work for the oral surgeon, Dr. David Haefer. She thoroughly enjoyed her position and devoted her life to his profession with her work. She continued to faithfully serve him for 25 years before retiring in 2001.She was a mentor to many people with her expertise and touched many lives within her working career. She was a loving mother, dedicating her life to the boys. She was a den mother for Cub Scouts and attended numerous baseball games. She also spent time at the Electric City Speedway, where she could be found cheering her boys on. She was hardworking, had a very big heart, and very compassionate.Joann loved to bake and made many goodies throughout the years for her family. She enjoyed fishing, spending time outdoors, making several trips to the West Coast every summer for several years, an avid golfer, spending time with her grandkids and great grandkids. She loved being around her family.She was a lifelong member of the fraternal order of Eagles and Montana Dental Association, attending a conference where she received an award.Joann was able to live in her own home up until the last eight months of her life. She spent her final days in the loving and compassionate care of Peace Hospice, as well as the caring staff at the Linden Home of Bee Hive Homes. It was there that she touched many lives. She will be greatly missed.She is survived by her sons Dennis (Jane) Western of Goffstown, NH, Steven (Paula) Western of Great Falls, Scott (Robin) Western of Great Falls; brother, Ward (Dorothy) Payne of Long Beach, WA; five grandsons, one granddaughter, and many great-grandchildren.Joann was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Iola Payne and sister Dorothy Smith of Washington State.In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials be made to The Jolly Rogue Shrine Clown Unit, P.O. Box 6807, Great Falls, MT, 59406 or Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.