Elizabeth “Betty” Marie Svendsen Johnson Calahan, 88, passed away Oct. 17, 2013, from natural causes at a local care facility in Great Falls. 

Betty was born Feb. 5, 1925, to Peter and Katherine Svendsen in Havre. She grew up west of Hogeland on the family farm with her loving sister Carol. She attended school at West End and Hogeland schools.  She attended college in Havre and worked in Spokane during World War II. 

On Oct. 23, 1946, she married Reuben Johnson and had four children with him. The couple farmed the Svendsen Family Homestead until Reuben’s death in 1974. She worked in the Harlem Bank and owned Harlem Insurance, which she later sold to a family friend. In 1983, she married Marvin Calahan. She was a loving stepmother and step-grandmother to Marvin’s family. During this time, she enjoyed traveling around the world. 

She was a devoted Lutheran and was active in her church throughout her life. She loved reading and could read a great book in a day. She also enjoyed watching baseball on television, including her favorite team, the Seattle Mariners. Her greatest enjoyment was spent with her large family. She especially loved doting on and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Pete Ekegren; husband, Reuben Johnson; husband, Marvin Calahan; and daughter, Brenda Dubray.

She is survived by her children, Randy and Sara Johnson of Kalispell, Kathy and Ed Zellmer of Hogeland, and Leslie and Bonnie Johnson of Great Falls; son-in-law, Ed Dubray of Babb; sister, Carol Ekegren of Choteau; stepchildren, David and Judi Calahan of Missoula, Laurie and Bill Martindale of Bozeman, and Julie and Ken Bauer of Polson; and her 19 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Betty's life was held on Oct. 21 at American Lutheran Church in Hogeland and a graveside service was at Silverbow Cemetery.   

Memorials are suggested to American Lutheran Church of Hogeland, Faith Free Lutheran Church of Kalispell or Peace Hospice of Great Falls.