Betty B. Swanstrom

– Betty Bernice (Yanke) Swanstrom, 88, passed away peacefully in the company of loved ones in Missoula on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015.

Betty was born Sept. 15, 1927, in Lacombe, Alberta, to Hannah and Bernhart Yanke (deceased 1931). She grew up in Oklahoma and Kansas and attended Montana State University in Bozeman before moving to Great Falls, where she met the great love of her life, Harfield "Buddy" Swanstrom.

Betty and Buddy were married in 1948 and made their home and raised a family in Great Falls.

Betty was preceded in death by Buddy in 1970; her sister, Elaine Baay in 1982; her step-grandson, Sean Figarelle in 1997; and her mother, Hannah Hagstotz in 1999.

She is survived by daughters, Frances Swanstrom of San Francisco and Phyllis Figarelle (Alan) of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; son, Stephen Swanstrom (Rina and her son Kaleb) of Missoula; grandson, Collin Bangs of Lake Havasu City; brother and sister-in-law, Bernard and Del Yanke of College Place, Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her caregiver and pal, Rachel Houlihan of Missoula.

Diagnosed with cancer in 1997, Betty met the challenge with courage, determination and a healthy vegan diet. She survived a years-long battle and lived the last two years of her life cancer-free.

She enjoyed traveling, yoga, reading, cooking, classical music and rock 'n' roll. She was a spiritual soul and especially appreciated the beauty of the Missouri River Canyon, her home for 22 years. She was active in the Dearborn Garden Club, The Red Hat Society and Elsie's knitting get-togethers. She was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Great Falls.

Betty's family and many friends are blessed to have shared time with her on this earth. A tribute to her life will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorials to Hospice of Missoula, hospiceofmissoula.com.

You can sign Betty's guestbook at legacy.com/guestbooks/greatfallstribune/betty-swanstrom-condolences/176034300?cid=full.
Read Betty Swanstrom's Obituary and Guestbook.