Elizabeth ‘Bette’ R. Dyrdahl of Helena, age 94, passed away on July 24, 2017 with family by her side.
Bette was born June 5, 1923. Her parents were H. H. and Mary Behrman—early day settlers in north Phillips County, MT.
Bette graduated from the Loring High School with a class of eight students in 1940. She married Delmar Dyrdahl on June 15, 1941, and they raised their family of six children on the Behrman/Dyrdahl ranch, 12 miles NW of Loring, MT. Many fond memories remained of those 50+ years in that community.
In 1974, the Dyrdahl family moved from the ranch to their new home in Malta, but sadly Delmar died soon after in July 1975. While living in Malta, Bette was active in St. Mary’s Alter Society and took part in several cursillos.
When all her children had moved away from Phillips County, Bette moved to Helena, MT to be close to her youngest son Michael and his family. She loved taking care of her little granddaughter, Daisy. She also made a close circle of friends through her YMCA water aerobics classes.
Several years after moving to Helena, Bette was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought a hard battle, and took great pride in being a cancer survivor. She was a member of cancer survivor groups, and participated many Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure run/walk events in her pink t-shirt and hat.
In addition to her husband, Bette was preceded in death by her brother, Harry ‘Bud’ Behrman, in 2008, her daughter-in-law, Andrea ‘Andy’ Dyrdahl, in 2014, and both of her daughters; her daughter Mary Flores passed in 2012, and Catherine ‘Cathy’ York in 2013. She is survived by her four sons Gary (Victoria ‘Vicky’) in Bend, OR, Larry (Martha) in Great Falls, MT, Daniel in Las Vegas, NV, and Michael (Vonda) in Helena, MT, as well as by her two sons-in-law, Junior Flores and Richard York. She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren, Allen, Jayson, Quentin, and Victoria (Mary), Rachel and Alicia (Gary), Stephen (Larry), Shaelyn and Daisy (Michael), and her 16 great-grandchildren.
A memorial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Helena on Tuesday August 1, 2017; visitation with family from 11:00-12:00, funeral mass beginning at 12:10, reception following.
Anderson, Stevenson & Wilke Funeral Home assisted the family in Helena.
Please make any memorial donations to:
St. Peter’s Hospice
2475 Broadway
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 444-2244
www.stpetes.org/hospital/home-health-care/hospice
Service Schedule
Visitation
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 1, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Tuesday August 1, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
Following the Mass
Tuesday August 1, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Visitation
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 1, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Tuesday August 1, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
Following the Mass
Tuesday August 1, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
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Betty Brewer says
I am so sorry to hear of Bettes passing. She was such a sweet lady and was so sweet and kind to me and my Mom. She always offered prayers and support when my Mom passed away 2 years ago. Heaven gained an absolutely angel. Prayers for comfort and peace to fmsilunand friends.
Donna Dyrdahl says
I wonder how many loaves of Yellow Bread that Bette made? Quite often when I heard from her she told of baking some to share with various people. I use to get concerned when she said that she had walked over to Albertson’s to get things that she needed. I will miss my letters with Bette-I learned so much about people from her.
Denise Moudree says
Mike, I was thinking of you and your family the other day. My sympathies on the passing of your mother. May you have many wonderful memories.
Take good care,
Denise
Sheila Rice says
Mike, I will miss the Helena service but will see you in Malta. You were a wonderful support to Bette for so many years. I feel blessed to have gotten to know her in the past few years and hear her stories about the ranch and family. Take comfort knowing she lived a great life and was ready to meet her Maker.
Betsy Baumgart says
I consider Bette a dear friend. It’s funny how life brings people together. I first met Bette as Aunt Bette. She was recommended by her niece Marilyn to help me out as a breakfast bar attendant at the new Holiday Inn Express in Helena. Later, she was “Breakfast Bar Bette” and the most reliable thrifty employee you could ever ask for. Then she became “friend Bette” as we kept in touch over the years. Meeting at the “Race for the Cure” on an annual basis. But, Bette and I became close friends during her daughter Mary’s death and then Cathy’s death from cancer. That was a very difficult time for Bette. I will miss her beautiful blue eyes and her no-nonsense practical approach to life. I’m sure her rosaries have helped many of us throughout our life. I know she’s enjoying the company of all she loves in Heaven and smiling down on all of us waiting to reunite at a later date.
Lonnie & Sharon McCollom says
We are so sorry to learn of Bette’s passing. We were dear friends of Bette’s daughter, Cathy, who was a bridesmaid in our wedding in 1965. Her family is so fortunate to have had Bette in their lives for such a long time. May God bless all of you.
Shauna "Doolittle" Corcoran says
I worked with Bette for a time at the Holiday Inn Express, she was a spit fire, the only one with guts enough to tell Betsy “you are out of your mind” what a ham she was. I had lost contact with Bette over the years but thought of her often. She was one tough cookie who could run circles around the kids at work. I have many fond memories of her.
She was nick named ” Breakfast Bar Bette” it was her Breakfast Bar, and by god nobody dared mess with her. Bette may you rest in peace and may your family find comfort in knowing you are at peace. You were a beautiful soul and those who knew you were lucky to be a part your life.
Jeanne Fullerton says
I met Bette at Eagles Manor where I volunteer on Friday mornings. Periodically, I would take her on errands that needed to be done. Always a pleasure to visit and help such a sweet woman. Bette is enjoying Heaven now. Peace and prayers to all her family.