Betty Lucille Collins

[gn_spacer size=”20″] [gn_heading style=”1″]Betty Lucille Collins[/gn_heading]

Betty Lu passed away peacefully at Valley Nursing Home on Saturday, July 8, 2006.

Betty Lucille Collins was born July 13, 1927 in Rapid City, South Dakota, the daughter of Betty and Henry Collins. Her father was transferred with JC Penney and while growing up she lived in Cody, Anaconda and Butte where she graduated from high school.

Betty Lu was a Kappa Kappa Gamma and graduated from the University of Montana School of Journalism in 1949.

She married Stuart Conner in 1950 and they lived in New England for several years returning to Montana in 1955. They were later divorced.

Betty Lu was active with many organizations and volunteer activities throughout her life including Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout Leader, PEO, Women of Mayflower, Billings Studio Theatre, ZooMontana, and Junior League. She especially enjoyed the opportunity to demonstrate her dramatic flair. Betty Lu channeled her creativity into LaRoche Juane Art with her authentic reproductions of local Indian pictographs and petroglyphs which were sold, donated and displayed. Her family benefited often from her sewing and knitting talents. She enjoyed world wide travel adventures and many trips to Alaska to visit family. Betty Lu was known for her quick wit, sense of humor and love of reading.

Betty Lu is survived by her daughters, Laurie Wertman and husband, Jim, (Eric and Kirby Anderson, Grady, Annie and Beth) of Billings; Cindy Merriam and husband, Steve, (Max and Maddie) of Wasilla, Alaska; Robin Lester and husband, Jim, of McCall, Idaho. Her parents, sister, Jean O'Malley, and brother, Jack Collins, preceded her in death.

Memorial services will be 2pm Wednesday at Mayflower Congregational Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Zoo Montana, 2100 South Shiloh Road, Billings MT 59106 or to a charity of your choice.