Betty Rose Fulford, 94, of Lewistown, passed away of natural causes on the morning of Sept. 9, 2016, at the Central Montana Nursing and Rehab Center in Lewistown.

She was born May 30, 1922, in Swanton, Nebraska, the daughter of Joseph J. and Josephine (Zwonecek) Kuldacek. At the age of 3 she moved to Eureka, California, with her family, and then to Kalama, Washington. Betty Rose attended Kelso Schools until she graduated with honors.

In her late teens, she became ill with rheumatic fever, and, at her doctors’ advice, she moved to San Diego, near her brother who was in the Navy. It was at this time that she answered the war effort by becoming a “Rosie the Riveter,” riveting the skins on military aircrafts when the men went off to war, and thus served her country as a member of the Greatest Generation. While in California, she met the love of her life, James Fulford, a Louisiana native who was stationed there while serving in the Navy aboard aircraft carriers. They were married in 1943, and their first child arrived while Jim was overseas.

“Betty Rose accepted Christ as a young child and her faith sustained her while Jim was at war. It was because of her deep faith she made sure her husband and four children came to know and trust the Lord as well.”

She served as church secretary and later as the building department secretary in Longview, Washington, until she and Jim retired to Bigfork in 1978. She lived there until Jim passed away in 2007, and then moved to Lewistown to be near her daughter.

Betty Rose loved the outdoors, hiking, camping, gardening and especially fishing with her sons. She was an avid reader and wrote several novels for which her daughter is seeking publication. Her family remembers her for her unconditional love and support, nurturing, unflagging optimism, humor and inspiration.

She “stepped into heaven” and was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; one grandson; one great-grandson; one brother; and her parents.

She is survived by her children, Linda (Del) Bradford of Olympia, Washington; Rosemary (Jim) Lafever of Lewistown; Kirk (Debbie) Fulford of Bigfork; and Brian (Gina) of Kalispell; seven grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren with one on the way; one great-great-grandchild with another on the way; and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Betty Rose with an open house held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, at Bigfork Chapel, 290 Swan Highway in Bigfork.

Cremation has taken place with the Cloyd Funeral Home assisting the family.

Friends are asked to make memorials to Gideon International, P.O. Box 1305, Kalispell, MT 59901, Hospice of Central Montana, or the charity of their choice, and these may be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.