Bettijane Larson

MISSOULA ~ Bettijane Kurth Larson, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on October 22nd , 2024, in Missoula, Montana, at the age of 94. Born on June 24th , 1930, in Corvalis , Montana, to Frank and Ethyl Kurth, she was the youngest of four siblings; Francis, Dorothy, and Harold. Bettijane graduated from Victor High School in 1947. She kept in contact with many of her classmates all her life and always had a strong tie to her beloved Bitterroot Valley.

Bettijane's love story began in the Bitterroot when she met the love of her life, Charles Leroy Larson, affectionately known as Chuck, after he returned from serving in the Navy during World War II. After she graduated high school, they were married in Missoula on June 28th, 1947. Their union blessed them with four children; Janice, Robert, Richard, and Randall, who were the center of her world. Her beloved Chuck passed away in 1989 after a battle with cancer, leaving a void in Bettijane’s life that she filled with a large extended family and friends. She also faced the heartbreak of losing her son Bob in 2017, yet her resilience and love for her family remained steadfast. She lived in the home Chuck built for them on Missoula’s Northside for 74 years.

A devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church for over 70 years, Bettijane's faith was a guiding light in her life. In her early years, she followed her mother’s calling as a nurse and worked as a candy striper at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula , where she discovered her passion for caring for others. Later, she honed her skills as a seamstress, taking in work at home as she raised her four children. Throughout the years she hand crafted many clothes, blankets, and cherished gifts for family and friends. Her love for sewing and knitting was matched only by her passion for gardening. Bettijane took great pride in her flower gardens and indoor plants, maintaining them well into her nineties. For many years she also had a vegetable garden and enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables each year. After her children were older, she attended the VoTech in Missoula for medical records.

Bettijane was proud of her family's military legacy; her husband Chuck, brother Harold, and sons Bob and Rick, as well as other extended family members all served in the military. As a result, veteran causes were always dear to her heart. She also found joy in traveling, attending many family reunions and weddings throughout the country, and even journeyed to Germany to trace her family lines. For many years she loved to go camping, first at the family’s cabin in 

Maxville, and later she had a camper and went camping on weekends with her sons and grandkids. Bettijane was an active member of the Friendship Forces and the Daughters of the American Revolution, connecting with others who shared her interests. For 70 years, she was a member of her beloved Jolly 12 card group, and also played in a pinochle club for many decades where laughter and friendship flourished. As an active member in her church, she attended a Bible Study Fellowship group and JOY bunch.

Bettijane was an avid sports fan. She attended many Lady Griz basketball games with Rick and Emily throughout the years, and for many decades she listened to the Griz and Lady Griz basketball games and Grizzly Football games on her AM radio when they weren’t televised. She enjoyed watching the football games with her sons Bob and Rick, and granddaughter Jennifer. Later, she became very interested in NHL hockey, rooting for her son Randy’s Boston Bruins and never missed their games.

Dedicated to her family, Bettijane spent countless hours researching her family’s ancestry, a labor of love that became her life’s work. Her memory was impeccable, even at 94 years young, and she never missed an opportunity to send a card for a birthday, anniversary, birth, or death. She was always there to ensure that her loved ones felt cherished and remembered.

As the matriarch of her family, Bettijane was a pillar of strength and love. She is survived by her children, Janice (John) Hurst of Meridian ,ID, Richard (Emily) Larson of Missoula, and Randall (Yinzi) Larson of Napa, ID; her grandchildren, Christopher Campbell, Bryan Campbell, Jennifer Larson, Eric (Lindsay) Larson, and Mark Larson; and her great-grandsons, Logan and Levi Larson, and a great-granddaughter on the way. She will also be missed dearly by her cherished nieces, many great-nieces and great-nephews and their children, cousins from all over the country, and a host of friends and neighbors, all of whom were touched by her kindness and warmth.

Bettijane's warmth, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family will be deeply missed. In loving memory, we invite you to a viewing at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Missoula on Sunday, November 3rd from 1:00-3:00 PM. A funeral service celebrating her remarkable life will be held on Monday, November 4th at 10:30 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Missoula with a graveside service to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula. Afterwards, please join us for a luncheon at St. Paul Lutheran Church to share memories and celebrate a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a veterans charity of your choice in Bettijane's honor, reflecting her lifelong commitment to honoring those who served.

Rest in peace, dear Bettijane. Your legacy of love, service, and devotion to family will continue to inspire all who knew you.