Nora Elizabeth “Betty” (Biegler) Wilson “left behind her earthly suffering and pain” on Jan. 17, 2013, surrounded by loving family, after a long struggle with lung disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

She was born to Art and Lucille Biegler, their firstborn, in Kalispell, on Feb. 11, 1936. She was later joined by siblings Claire (Workman), Chuck, Artie, Eddie and Hobbie, whom she loved beyond measure and remained devoted to for her entire life, the ultimate, “big sister.”

Betty held dear her fond memories of community dances attended by the entire family, and in particular, of dancing German dances like the shodish with her dad and sister. She also loved the memories of their family time living in Warland and Kila.  

 Betty graduated from Flathead Valley High School in 1955. She married Thomas Wilson on June 1, 1956, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell. They had four children, Betty Fay (Holder), Thomas Arthur, Alice Lucille (Letcher) and John Robert. They also raised their twin grandchildren, Alan Daniel and Jessica Breanne Wilson, after the death of son Tom. They lived in Kila, Eureka and Libby, until they settled permanently on Pinkham Creek.

Betty cooked in the school cafeteria for 32 years. She also worked in several local restaurants over the years.

Betty was known for her generous, thoughtful and loving heart. Through the years, she touched countless lives because of the abundance of special gifts she showered on others.

Many times Betty said if she could be half as good a mom as her own and half as good a grandma as her Grandma Otis she would consider her life a success. Her family thinks she did that and then some! Besides her own family members she became “mom,” “aunt” and “grandma” to countless others throughout her life, spreading unconditional love and care as she went.    

Betty was a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church.

Betty is survived by her mother, Lucille Biegler; husband, Tom Wilson; children, Betty and Stan Holder, Alice Letcher and John and Jan Wilson; grandchildren, Trinia Holder and Brad Miller, Amber (Letcher) and Jesse Llewellyn, Valida Holder and Sean Cranmer, Jodi (Wilson) and Gatlin Paine, Kristan Curtis, Mariah (Holder) and Leif Winterrowd, Artie Wilson, Joe Letcher, Jake Letcher, Alan Wilson, Jessica Wilson, Jose Letcher and James Letcher; great-grandchildren, Josh and Reilly Llewellyn, Ayden Curtis, Shaelynn and Avriana Paine and Heath Miller; siblings, Claire and Harry Workman, Chuck Biegler, Artie Biegler, Ed and Dee Biegler and Hobbie and Robin Biegler; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Biegler; son, Thomas Wilson; son-in-law, James Letcher; grandson, Thomas Wilson; and great-grandson, Justin Llewellyn.

A memorial service for Betty will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Lincoln County High School Auditorium, part of the school system she loved and was devoted to, in Eureka. Immediately afterward a meal provided by the Lutheran Ladies will be served at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Eureka.   

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Eureka Food Pantry, to continue Betty's lifetime service of feeding others.