Betty Thomas, 91

Betty Lou Thomas, formerly of Polson, passed away Dec.31, 2025, at the age of 91 from natural causes in Denver, Colo. She was born to Doda Rene and Matthew Hulsey on Dec. 29, 1934, and grew up on a farm and ranch in Martin County, Texas.

Betty graduated from Courtney High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Sul Ross State College in elementary education. In 1959 she married Howard L. Thomas.

Howard was a petroleum engineer, and his company sent them north. This journey took them from Texas to Oklahoma, Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota. Upon retirement, they moved to the shore of Flathead Lake in Polson.

Betty taught at the elementary school level in each state in which they lived. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and a 50-plus-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She and Howard were very active in the Boys Scouts of America as leaders, and both of them received the Silver Beaver Award.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, mother, husband and son Kyle. She is survived by two sons and their spouses, Mark and Janice of Breckenridge, Colo., and Paul and Kristi of Charlotte, N.C. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Matson, Grant, Jack and Catherine.

Her final resting place will be in Polson with Howard.