Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Hotchkiss

Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Hotchkiss, 93, of Missoula, died of natural causes, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, at Village Senior Residence.

Betty was born July 12, 1922, at the family farm near Joliet, to Clyde and Florence Sells. Having been born premature, she spent the first month of her life in an apple box next to the coal stove. She grew up on the farm and attended school in Joliet during the Great Depression years, which had a life-long influence on her attitudes and behaviors. She played basketball on the Joliet high school girls' team.

After graduating from high school in 1940, Betty met Ken Hotchkiss at a local dance and later married him on April 19, 1941. During World War II, Betty began her career in the banking business until their daughter Carol was born in 1947. In 1949, son Kenneth was born. The couple raised their family in Laurel, where Betty was a stay at home mom. With both children in high school, Betty resumed her career in banking, eventually becoming manager at Mountain Bell Telephone Employees Credit Union until her retirement in 1978.

Betty enjoyed sewing and knitting clothing for herself and family. She also enjoyed hiking and exploring mountains and desert areas with her husband. They were avid snowmobile riders.

After the couple retired, they began their full-time RV travel adventures with an Airstream trailer and a new red Ford truck. Retirement took them to many locations where they learned square and round dancing. In 1985 they made their winter home in Mesa, Arizona, continuing to travel throughout the western United States attending dances and festivals in the summertime. They also volunteered for the Forest Service. In 2000, they gave up their snowbird lifestyle and settled in Missoula.

After Ken's passing in 2002, Betty volunteered at Community Medical Center's Endoscopy Department for 10 years until declining health forced her to move into Village Senior Residence.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ken; her daughter Carol Poche; and a brother Jim Sells.

She is survived by her son, Kenneth Hotchkiss (Judy) of Lolo; sister Donna Tanous (Larry) of Hemet, California; grandchildren, Danielle Brown-Owusu (Andrew) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Dominique Poche of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Michael Hotchkiss of Missoula and Kristen Hotchkiss of Missoula; and one great-grandson, Kai Owusu of Murfreesboro. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

At her request, no services are planned. Her ashes will be scatted by the family at a later date.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Village Senior Residence for all the love and caring they gave our beloved mother and grandmother over the past four years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to missoulafuneralhomes.com.
Read Elizabeth Ann Hotchkiss's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.