Betty Martin, 85

Betty left this earth after a long illness on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 with her devoted husband of 67 years Roy Martin by her side. Our hearts are broken and we will forever feel her loss. 

Betty was born in St Ignatius Montana on September 8, 1940 to Alie Ovila (Olie) Marceau and Norma Silverthorne Marceau Decker Couture. She was a proud enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She was preceded in death by her parents Norma Silverthorne Marceau Decker Couture, Alie Ovila (Olie) Marceau, sisters Norma Anderson, Barbara Lensman, brothers Ricky Couture, Gerald Marceau and grandson Christopher Martin. Betty attended elementary school at the Ursulines Catholic Boarding School in St Ignatius and then graduated from St Ignatius High School in 1957. She attended Business School briefly in Missoula. Betty worked as a secretary for CSKT at the old agency in Dixon and later in the CSKT Tribal Social Services. She met and married Roy Martin where his career in the Air Force took them to many different duty stations. After Roy retired, they returned to St Ignatius where she became a successful small business woman. She owned and operated Thimble Magic first in St Ignatius and finally in Ronan. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed quilting and making dance regalia. She made hundreds of dance outfits and ceremonial regalia for people throughout the United States and Canada. She was always proud to see her work on the Pow Wow trail. If she gifted you one of her quilts you knew you were truly special. Betty loved BINGO and casinos. When she was younger, she was always looking for an opportunity to be in the mountains. She loved hunting, camping, picking huckleberries, fishing and gathering firewood. 

Betty is survived by her husband Roy Martin of St Ignatius, daughters Sandra Boham of Albuquerque New Mexico, Audra (Paul) of Hillsboro OR, sons Richard Martin of St Ignatius and Ken Martin of Fort Worth, TX, brothers Larry Marceau (Pat) Meade KS, John Marceau Three Forks MT, Mike Decker (Dorothy) Ronan MT, Dan Decker Hot Springs MT, sisters Donna Carpenter (Norm) Aurora CO, Judy Decker St Ignatius MT, Jeannie Nowotny of Polson MT, Margie Irvine (Bob) of Missoula MT a granddaughter Nihtawneemiw Boham (Spokane) and grandson Elijah Schaefer (Hillsboro), many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Cremation has taken place and a Memorial will be planned at a later date.