On Wednesday January 31, 2024, Betty St. Clair died peacefully at her home surrounded by her children. She was 85. Betty Lou Smith was born on August 6, 1938, to William and Ellen Smith in Columbus, Montana.
She grew up in Columbus, attending school there. Times were frequently hard for her family, and she often worked in the fields alongside her dad. Growing up, she learned how to fix almost anything, how to ride and train horses, and how to shoot and hunt both with a bow and rifle. She was an excellent shot and regularly harvested deer and elk. As a teenager, she and her best friend Betty Lou Shubert were typical teenagers for the time. They loved to dance and would roam Columbus and the surrounding towns looking for the next dance.
While visiting a friend in Helena, she met and fell in love with Bob St. Clair. They were married on December 30, 1960. They celebrated 61 years of marriage shortly before Dad died in 2022. Together they had 4 children: Rob, Rita, Linda, and Larry. They first lived in East Helena, then moved to their little farm a couple of miles north in the Helena Valley.
Betty was always a worker. Her first paying job was waiting tables as a teenager. She quickly moved into cooking, which became her passion. Early on, she was a short-order cook, then she moved into cooking for crowds. In Helena, she cooked for The U & I Café, Lorenzo’s Gourmet Pantry, Tony’s, various nursing homes, and the Eagles Manor. Then the entrepreneurial spirit bit Mom and she opened “Betty’s Kitchen” in the Federal Reserve building.
While operating “Betty’s Kitchen,” she was approached by Elsie Jones, long-time mansion manager and cook for Montana governors, to take over her position for the incoming governor, Marc Racicot, and his family. As Elsie put it, Betty was the only person she felt comfortable taking over her job. Mom discovered being mansion manager was the job of her dreams. She was welcomed into a new family and developed friendships that lasted the rest of her life. Mom, housekeeper Marsha Grondin, and First Lady Theresa were quite the trio and became the best of friends. Having a houseful of teenagers was perfect, and she loved keeping them all in chocolate chip cookies and giving great motherly advice. Mom was the ideal hostess and put everyone at ease. She hosted everything from art shows, afternoon teas, and banquets to dinner for the President of Kyrgyzstan. She served for Governors Racicot and Martz before retiring.
Mom was always up for just about anything. She was a den mother for Rob’s cub scout troop. She spent hours pulling us kids and our friends waterskiing. She loved to waterski herself, and later took up tubing with her grandchildren. She was an excellent hula-hooper and made sure all her kids were very proficient. She was famous for hosting couples Tupperware parties and could get the guys to buy way more than the women.
One of Mom’s most prized possessions is her 1966 Thunderbird convertible. It was her daily driver for years. On summer evenings, Mom and Dad would often load the family in the convertible just for the fun of cruising with the top down.
Mom loved to travel. In 1989, she and Dad visited Linda on St. Thomas, USVI. It was her favorite place out of all the places she had ever traveled, and she always wanted to return. She loved white sandy beaches and palm trees. For 18 years she traveled the western US with Linda while Linda was a book sales rep. She visited many of the national parks in the western US along with all kinds of tourist areas, museums, and aquariums. Some of her favorite adventures were a Grand Canyon helicopter tour, hiking in the Hoh Rainforest, all the canyonlands and slick rock in Utah, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Bryce Canyon, and even dropping in, unexpectedly, on her nephew, Marvin, in Alaska. She loved Las Vegas, but not being a gambler, she spent her money playing Skee-ball against Linda in the casinos’ basements.
Mom and Dad were members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #16 for years. She was highly active in the drill team and traveled with the team to parades and competitions around the state. She helped put on the Easter egg hunt at the Capitol lawn. Her chicken fried steak dinners were famous and frequently sold out. Mom was always there in the background making sure things went off smoothly and everyone was well fed.
She was an avid supporter of all her kids. Mom was the one you talked to when you were troubled or confused. She helped you figure out your life while lifting you up and making you believe you could do anything you set your mind to. When you were in a jam, Mom was always the first person you turned to for help and guidance. Anyone and everyone that met Mom loved her. She was such a special person, there aren’t enough words to embrace all that she was.
She is survived by her daughters Rita St. Clair; Linda (Steve) Netschert and their children Brandt and Bailey; and son Larry (Valerie) St. Clair and their children Jennifer (Jason), Lane (Jessica 2/11/2024), and Garrett; grandchildren Stephanie Ward, Alesha St. Clair, and Layne McKay; great-grandchildren Xavier, Caitlyn, Keenan, Logan, Braelyn, Carter, and Kadence; many nieces and nephews; and special friends Theresa Racicot and Marsha Grondin.
She is preceded in death by her husband Robert L. St. Clair, son Robert (Rob) St. Clair, grandson Ty McKay, son-in-law Mike Church, parents Bill & Ellen Smith, and her siblings.
Cremation has taken place. There will be a brief graveside service for both Mom and Dad on Thursday March 14, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Fort William Henry Harrison. Dad will receive full military honors. Mom goes with all our love.
Kathleen Broussar says
Larry, Linda, Rita, and families
We are so very sorry about your mom. She was so dear and we loved spending time with her. Bob and Betty were always so happy to see us and visit with us. They will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Andy and Rinay Bender says
Larry and Family,
We are saddened to hear of the loss of your Mom. Sending our deepest condolences to your family.
Jim& Georgette Quillin says
Larry, Linda, Rita and families:
We are saddened to hear of the loss of your Mom. Sincerest condolences to your family.
Edie Landry says
Linda and all of your family.
So very sorry.
It’s hard to lose a MOM. They are such special people.
Sending many prayers to all of you.
Edie
Cheryl Verbanac says
Very sorry for your loss.
Rose St Clair says
To all of Betty’s family, what a great tribute to an amazing women. My heart goes out to all of you. May your memories bring you peace and comfort at this different time. Rose St Clair
HELEN FANDRICH says
TO ALL OF BETTY (AND BOB’S) FAMILY —
DOUG AND I ENJOYED MANY YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP AND FUN WITH YOUR PARENTS, BOTH AT THE EAGLES AND AT THEIR GREAT CABIN AT THE LAKE–EATING, DANCING, BOATING AND JUST SITTING BY THE LAKE. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!