Betty J. Powell

Betty Powell, 86, died of natural causes on September 23, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born July 1, 1933 in Missoula, to parents Ida (Treichel) Lemke and Ray Lemke.

Betty married the love of her life, Douglas W. Powell, on December 31, 1951. Betty and Doug eloped and drove to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho thus beginning a marriage that lasted 57 years until Doug’s passing in 2008. Betty worked in the service industry, waitressing at several restaurants in Missoula. She spent most of her working career at the Tastee Freez. Betty also worked at the Bar MG restaurant. She did custodial work at Mount Jumbo School in East Missoula and product demonstration at Costco. Betty loved children and truly enjoyed her time spent at the school. Betty also loved spending time with her family and was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and aunt.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Powell) Schindler and her husband Donald Schindler of Missoula; two sisters, Harriet (Werner) Calcaterra and Linda (Werner) Schindler both of Missoula; two grandchildren, David W. Schindler and Daniel K. Schindler also of Missoula; beloved nieces, Vicky (Baldwin) Hiller, Becky (Baldwin) Wilson and Tracy (Powell) Frickel. Also included are several other treasured nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Doug; her sisters Alice (Lemke) Bryant, and Violet (Lemke) Baldwin; and her brother Bobby who died in a drowning accident in childhood.

There will be a memorial service with a dessert reception to follow on Thursday October 3, 2019 at 1:00pm at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W Broadway Missoula.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Patrick’s Hospital for the loving care and respect shown to Betty during her last hours.