MARGARET BEAUDETTE obituary

BIG SANDY - Margaret Melvina "Mugie" Beaudette, 89, of Big Sandy, a retired rancher and farmer, died of natural causes at a Big Sandy medical center on Thursday, April 10, 2003.

A private graveside service will be held at the Big Sandy Cemetery.

Margaret was born on Feb. 22, 1914, to Edward and Florence (Heise) Beaudette in Chicago, Ill.

In 1915 she accompanied her parents and grandparents to Montana, where they homesteaded next to each other on the Big Sandy Creek in the foothills of the Bear Paw Mountains. Margaret attended several country schools before graduating from Big Sandy High School in 1932. Margaret began working on the family homestead at a very young age and acquired a great love of animals. She loved life in the country and continued to make ranching her life's work until she retired and moved to Big Sandy in 1978 with her mother. Margaret stayed close to home but relished visits from family and friends. She was especially fond of playing cards and was always ready for a game, even when her failing eyesight made it a challenge.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Beaudette Sr. and Florence Heise Beaudette; brother, Budd Beaudette; sister-in-law, Rebecca Sibra Beaudette; and nephew, Jerry Beaudette.

Margaret is survived by her sister, Marion (Ed) Legowik of Great Falls; sister-in-law, Rosetta Beaudette of Big Sandy; niece, Lu (Terry) Weber, of Midland Texas; nephews: Dan Beaudette of Larkspur, Calif., Tom (Debbie) Beaudette of Missoula, Randy (Amber) Beaudette of Big Sandy,and John (Teresa) Beaudette of Spokane, Wash.

Memorials are suggested to the Big Sandy Medical Center or to a person's choice.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.