BETTY SOMMERDORFF obituary

Betty J. Sommerdorf, 87, of Havre died Friday, April 20, 2007, at Peace Hospice Residence Center in Great Falls of natural causes after a recent illness.

She had lived in Havre throughout her adult life and had been the office manager at the Havre Daily News for many years. The funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Havre, with a reception at the church to follow. A family burial of her ashes will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Havre. Betty was born in Towner, N. D., on Oct. 13, 1919, where she was raised and graduated from school. She then attended business school and worked in Chicago and San Francisco for a short while. Betty moved to Havre to be close to her mother and sisters. She worked at the Havre Daily News for 45 years, beginning in 1945 and retiring in 1990 as the office manager. She lived at home until last year when she moved to the Eagle's Manor in Havre. Survivors include her nieces, Maxine (Robert) LeFever of West Lafayette, Ind., and Judy (Gary) Sargent of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; nephew, Jerry (Dianna) Elliott of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and many greatnieces and great-nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, William and Helen Sommerdorf; sisters, Mary Sommerdorf and Bertha (Delbert) Elliott; brothers, Marshall and Ambrose Sommerdorf; and her nephew, Dr. Jim (Kay) Elliott. Betty was an active member of many organizations including the First Presbyterian Church of Havre, United Presbyterian Women's Society, and Business and Professional Women's Association. She volunteered at the Havre-Hill County Library and at Northern Montana Hospital. She enjoyed reading, taking care of her poodles, and her career at the Havre Daily News. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Dr. James and Kay Elliott Family Scholarship Fund, in care of Smith Barney, P.O. Box 1346, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or the First Presbyterian Church of Havre, 700 Fourth Ave., Havre, MT 59501.