Betty Rae (Nelson) Baldwin, 85

Please note: Funeral services for Betty Rae Baldwin have been moved to United Methodist Church, 1150 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish, at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 10. Arrangements are by Order of Eastern Star and family.

Betty Rae (Nelson) Baldwin, 85, of Whitefish, passed away with her family by her side on June 3, 2017, in Kalispell.

Betty Rae was born in Kalispell to Ray and Fern Nelson on Nov. 26, 1931. She went to school in Whitefish then continued her education at Flathead Valley Community College, off and on for 18 years.

She married Charles William “Bill” Baldwin Feb. 9, 1953, in Whitefish. They raised their children in Whitefish and have lived in the same house since they married.

Betty’s love of learning began during the Korean War when telegraphers were in short demand. She began work with Great Northern Railroad in 1951 and was a relief telegrapher for five years, after learning Morse code in just three months. She also worked for the Big Mountain on the ski patrol when the ski area consisted of a T-bar and a rope tow with stumps all around. During this time she met her loving husband, Bill, of 64 years. While raising four daughters, Caroline, Bonnie, Janet and Brenda, and a son, William “Butch,” Betty worked as a waitress/bartender for Frenchy’s Chinese Gardens and the Viking Lodge. Later in life Betty could be found providing support to firefighters with wild fires in the North Fork.

Betty was an avid hunter and fisher. She loved growing and canning food for her family. Betty treasured her time sewing, silk flower arranging and knitting. She continued to knit up to 30 pairs of slippers every year for family and friends’ Christmas packages until last year. For 33 years of her life, Betty could be found volunteering at the Whitefish Food Bank, an endeavor that brought her great joy, and allowed her to use the knowledge of languages she learned at FVCC, like communicating in American Sign Language with deaf patrons.

Betty was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for over 40 years. She was honored to serve as Matron of Honor six times, a position she had fully memorized. Being a member of the Order of Eastern Star was a proud addition to Betty’s life, and one that brought her many friendships and great joy.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Fern Nelson; and her brother, Dallas Nelson.

She is survived by her loving husband, Bill, and their children Caroline and Harold Krause, Bonnie McClarty and Mike Murphy, William “Butch” and Dima Baldwin, Janet and Rodney Krug and Brenda Baldwin Kastelein; as well as 12 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law Marilyn Nelson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty’s family wishes to extend sincere thanks to North Valley Hospital, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, including the ICU Department staff, Whitefish Fire Department, and Dialysis Center of Kalispell for their care.