Pauline Bede

Pauline, known by her family as "Nan," died in her home at age 97 some weeks after suffering from a fall. Born in Livingston, IL on August 14, 1911, Pauline was the daughter of a coal miner and was one of four children. Her parents had moved from Austria to follow the mining camps, first in Colorado, then in Illinois. They settled in Gibbtown on the outskirts of Roundup, MT.

Pauline was a hard worker throughout her life. As a child she ordered trinkets from a catalog and sold them around town so that she could buy her mother a set of dishes. Her father depended on her help and after the 8th grade Pauline, who loved school, stayed home to care for her dying mother. She also worked at Schiavon's grocery store earning $1/day and bought a bike with her earnings. Pauline's jobs as an adult included working in a café with her good friend Mary Barnett, working at a window factory, and making spudnuts at the Spud-nut Shop on Main Street in the Heights.

Attending dances with friends was one of Pauline's fondest childhood memories. She kept the Austrian holiday traditions of making potica (holiday bread) and strukla. She married Michael Bede in 1927 and they were together until his death in 1998. Pauline and Mike lived in Roundup, Miles City, Great Falls, and Conrad and then settled in Billings where they raised their children, Dorothy (Hucke) and John (Jack) Bede. They enjoyed camping with her sister Mary and husband Mitchell, traveling in Montana, Wyoming, and Canada. They built a cabin on the East Rosebud and on her 60th birthday, she helped roof their two story cabin. She prided herself in the fact that at age 96, she was still mowing her yard and shoveling her walks.

Pauline was preceded in death by her parents Mike and Mary Golob; son, Jack; her husband Mike; her sister Mary, brothers John and Mike, nephew Mike Golob,

Pauline is survived by her daughter, Dorothy Hucke (Joe) and their children Doug Hucke of Billings, Carol Moore (Tony) of Helena, Lynne Pinnick (David), Jennifer Moller (Dale) of Billings; daughter-in-law Mary Jane and her children, James Bede (Lynnet); Mark Bede (Kathy), Mary Sue McKenzie, Anne Enloe (Doug) all of Sheridan; thirteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Pauline also had many special nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church at 2:00 p.m. on September 6th. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Pauline's honor to Riverstone Hospice or St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Billings.

Pauline's family extends their gratitude to the staff at Billings Clinic, Aspen Meadows, and Riverstone Hospice.