Linda Phythian Bice

Linda moved on to her next adventure Saturday, May 17, 2014. She died of complications of multiple sclerosis and COPD. She passed away peacefully at home with her husband Rick by her side, under the care of Partners Hospice and Dr. Carla Davis.

Linda was born Nov. 1, 1945, in Billings to Robert and Geraldine Phythian. She attended schools in Billings, graduating from Billings West High in 1965. The night of her graduation, June 3, Linda and Rick eloped to Blackfoot, Idaho. When they approached the justice of the peace, Rick couldn't find any words to tell him, so Linda said, "We are here to get married." She was 17 and Rick was 18. They dated through high school. Linda often joked that she cried all the way to Blackfoot and Rick cried all the way back. When her parents found out, they were stunned and only said "We will have to make the best of this bad situation."

Forty-nine years later, the family is still perplexed that the marriage lasted. Linda said many times we raised each other. In 1966 Rick enlisted in the Marine Corps and Linda began working for First Security Bank in Billings. When Rick was discharged he began work with the Billings Gazette. After a year with the Gazette, they took a transfer to Davenport, Iowa. Linda continued working with Davenport Savings and Loan. Then came a transfer to Mason City, Iowa, where she worked for First National Bank. Linda made and has kept many, many close friends from those "banking days." At the time in Mason City, she wanted to start a family and Trent was born. She said it was the proudest moment of her life. Linda loved the Midwest but truly hated the tornados and thunderstorms.

In 1970 they were offered a transfer to Missoula to work for the Missoulian. She accepted Rick's job before he had a chance to say OK. Her second (and final) son, Trevor, was born at St. Patrick Hospital. She used the old cliché, if Trevor were the first, he would be the only. But now she said she had a native born Montanan, like Mom and Dad. Linda continued her work in banks by going to work for First Interstate Bank. She absolutely loved her job there. She still talked often with many of her fellow employees. When Linda and Rick bought their first house, she was introduced to real sstate. Another adventure waited.

She first worked as an assistant to an agent in the Lambros office. Once acclimated to what the work consisted of, it was time to strike out on her own. She started selling and listing homes on her own. Although successful and enjoyable to her, the hours were too sporadic to raise her boys in the manner she deemed right. At that point, she began working again as an assistant for three agents at Lambros: Forrest Bourquin, Dan Worrell and Loren Peterson. Again Linda found it to be enjoyable, challenging and another adventure. Ultimately the MS illness took hold and she could no longer show property for their clients. She had to accept the fact a wheelchair was in her near future. Rick had opened Allegra Print and Imaging and she thought she could work with him in running the business. A month later and a temporary marriage separation, she felt the marriage and boys were more important than "some old business." She retired for good.

In 2001 Linda had her mother move to Missoula and live with her and Rick. She had succeeded in having both boys get their degrees from the University of Montana and now she could care for her aging mother. Linda and her mother (Gerri) spent countless hours puttering around the house, playing keno at the local casinos and just talking. As Linda became more ill and was confined to her bed, she arranged to have her mother transferred to an extended care facility in Billings. She missed her mother every day, but aside from her feelings, she knew she had an aunt and three "girl cousins" that would visit Gerri every day. While Linda was capable she called her mother everyday. Linda and Rick especially enjoyed street rodding with members of the Garden City Rods and Customs. She enjoyed cruising to various car shows and venues through out the Northwest with Big Blue in their '34 Chevy Coupe. She liked to put her feet on the dash, kick back and listen to "old time rock and roll." Rick built a small tow-behind trailer to carry her wheelchair and lots of clothes.

Linda truly loved life. She loved her sons more than life itself. Her loyalty was beyond comprehension. She made friends easily and could read true friends, who she would make every effort to stay in touch with, even high school friends would check on her over the past few years. No one could stand in her pathway when it came to supporting her family and friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her father Robert Phythian and brother Richard Phythian. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Rick; her pride and joy, sons Trent (Jodi) of Moscow, Idaho, and Trevor (Heather) of Missoula; four grandchildren, Kade Roy, Bailey Lynn, Samuel Teshale and Jackson Robert; cousins Connie, Chris and Lori, all of Billings; brothers-in-law Ron of Phoenix and Jim of Missoula; and two very special and awesome friends, JoAnne Booth and Sue Waletzko. They were her "laugh mates" through good and bad times; they were always there to laugh or cry. Sometimes both.

Honorary pall bearers are Tom Booth, Tom Gress, Jay Raser, Tim Marinan, Dennis Howard, Robert Crossley, Tim Stromberger and Marvin Job.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at Garden City Funeral Home. William R. Baldassin will officiate. An informal reception will follow at the family home 2416 Garland Drive in Missoula
Read Linda Bice's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.