Betty Lou Hagestad Eslick passed away on Feb. 14, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Hospital after a short illness.

Betty was born to parents, Bob and Mary Haven, on Nov. 13,1928, in Lambert. For the first 11 years of her life, a large ranch was the romping ground for Betty and her brother, Jack. In 1939, the Haven family moved to Kalispell, where she attended LaSalle Batavia, Central and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1947. That summer she married Eddie Hagestad. Eddie and Betty raised their children, Mick, Kathie and Marsha. Eddie passed away in 1973.

Betty worked in the fashion department at Montgomery Wards for 17 years. During that time, she started Wendy Ward Charm School and helped many young women develop poise and self-esteem. She also hosted Welcome Wagon parties for young engaged women. Later she owned the Merle Norman Cosmetic store in Kalispell. She spent her life making women look their best. She was the kind of person who could find beauty in anyone.

When she was in her 50s, she learned how to play the fiddle and joined Old Time Fiddlers. She loved entertaining with her fiddle group at local nursing homes and fiddle jams.

She was a longtime member of Epworth United Methodist Church and a volunteer for RSVP. She also made the extra effort to always keep up with her kids' and grandkids' activities. She was a regular at sporting events, a wonderful water-skier and snow skier, and spent many happy days with family and friends on Lake Blaine.

In 1997 she retired and married her high school sweetheart, Joe Eslick. They spent nine happy years together. They enjoyed travel, antiquing and entertaining family.

Betty is survived by her husband, Joe Eslick, of Kalispell; her brother, Jack Haven, and wife, Norma, of Great Falls; one son, Mick, and his wife, Patty, of Kalispell; and two daughters, Kathie Heim and her husband, Randy, of Spokane, and Marsha Hagestad of Brookings, Ore. She is also survived by grandchildren, Rory Heim, Ryan Heim, Josh Pearson, Katie Ramey, Jodi Wardinsky, and Sarah Pearson; and great-grandchildren, Kelli and Gwyneth Heim and Kennedy Bahm. Also, surviving her are stepchildren, Jay and Barb Eslick, Lee Eslick, and JoAnn and Skip Christensen; and stepgrandchildren, Jayson, Andrea and Erin Eslick and Brittney Harp.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Epworth United Methodist Church with burial at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central School Museum.

Johnson Mortuary is caring for Betty's family.