Judy Bell, 90

Born in Wichita, Kansas, on Sept. 28, 1935, Judith "Judy" Howe grew up in Boulder, Colorado. She played trumpet in the marching band.

She married Willard Bell on Aug. 7, 1953. She was 18, and Willie would tease about how being married was a marathon. She agreed. They were a great couple and the best of friends.

They had one son, David and two daughters, Joyce and Gayla. They moved to Montana in 1968. She loved her garden! She grew everything the family ate and canned or froze the extra for winter. She wanted to can sunshine for the gray winter days. 

Judy was a member of "The Hot Lunch Bunch" at CFHS. They still get together once a month at the Nite Owl. People loved her and she loved them. She could buck bales and chew snoose. She gave her kids a well-rounded childhood, teaching them how to "peel out," butcher chickens, doctor the calves and even "Moon the Amtrak." She was tough as nails, soft as a kitten and was the all-around best example of a human you would ever meet.

On July 24, 2026, she passed away at the age of 90 and will be missed. She is preceded in death by her husband, Willie and son, Dave. 

She is survived by her daughters, Joyce Bell (Jim Head), Gayla Weyrauch (Dave) and Karen Bell (Dave Bell's wife); granddaughters Lisa Bell, Amy Piilola and Tessa Veto (Jake) and great-granddaughters, Kassidy Lingle and Kenly Piilola. Oh, and her old dog Luke — Cool Hand Luke, that is.

A private family ceremony is planned.