On March 5, Betty Louise Hutton Sunell Ross, entered Heaven’s gates after spending 85 beautiful years as an angel here on this earth. Betty was born in Libby at the Hutton Ranch Homestead to her parents, Evelyn Catherine Hutton and Harold “Happy” Hutton.

Betty married the first love of her life, Howard Sulo Sunell, and had children: Marcia Sunell Alexander, Sally Sunell Phillips, Kenneth Robert Sunell, Howard Ralph Sunell, and Thomas Wayne Sunell. After Howard Sunell Sr. passed away from a drowning accident, she met the second love of her life, Clyde Ross Sr., and gave birth to Clyde Ross Jr.

Betty was a devoted mom and wife, as well as an incredible cook who loved to share her favorite meals, like her famous homemade mac and cheese, surrounded by friends and family, sharing hearty laughs. She had an infectious smile and laugh, and she loved having fun and playing games like bingo, Yahtzee, or watching “Wheel of Fortune.” It never mattered who you were or where you were from, whether you were family or a friend, or whether years had passed since you had last seen Betty. She welcomed you with open arms.

Betty is preceded in death by daughters, Evelyn Marie Sunell and Sally Sunell Phillips; parents, Evelyn Catherine Hutton, Harold “Happy” Hutton; siblings, Marcia “Rae” Madison, Shirley Kihs, Jack Hutton, Larry Hutton, Donald Hutton, Jean Campbell, Cleveland Hutton, Charles “Junior” Hutton, Kenneth Hutton, Lawrence “Larry” Hutton, Ardith Myhre, Maurice Hutton; and great-granddaughter, Piper Jane Ann.

Betty is survived by husband, Clyde E. Ross; children Howard R. Sunell, Kenneth R. Sunell and Thomas W. Sunell of Kalispell, Marcia Sunell Alexander of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Clyde E. Ross Jr. of Libby; siblings, Lorne “Jim” Hutton, Montana “Tana” Hutton, Judy Hutton Tulleners and Margorie Hutton Johnson; and grandchildren, Crystal, Michael, Jesse, Stacey, Dave, Oliver, Zachery, Cassie, Karina, Larissa, Aaron, Jason, Jeremy and Ashley.

She adored the many great- and great-great grandchildren that came into the family.

Betty’s first daughter, Sally Kay Sunell Phillips, welcomed her mother to heaven after she passed away this past year. Sally shared her mother’s sense of humor and ability to recite a funny story. Heaven will be blessed to have these two women sitting around a table sharing stories so funny, there will be streams of tears. She is survived by her husband, Mark W. Phillips; children, Emily and Jeremy Mills, Melissa and Dirk Burnett, Adam and Kristy Phillips, and Matthew and Wendy Phillips; and grandchildren, Tara, Nathan, Kaleb, Jakob, Dustyn, Sierra, Kaden, Ava, Elizabeth, Logan, Ariya and Quinley.

If you would like to pay your respects to Betty or Sally, a viewing will be provided at 422 W. 2nd St. in Libby between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Schnackenberg Funeral Home on March 10. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on March 11 at Schnackenberg Funeral Homes. A reception will follow. And for Pete’s sake, wear your mask.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.