Elizabeth 'Betty Jo' Malsam

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Elizabeth 'Betty Jo' Malsam

lizabeth "Betty Jo" Malsam, 75, of Havre, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and private family memorial services will be held at a later date in California. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Betty Jo was born on July 26, 1937, in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Joseph and Elizabeth (Papatchik) Bullinger. She was raised in Havre, attending St. Jude Thaddeus and Havre Central High schools. On Dec. 31, 1957, she married Bernard Malsam at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Their union was blessed with four children, and they raised the children in California. The couple later divorced, and in 1981, Betty Jo moved back to Havre, where she worked at J. C. Penney's. She enjoyed fishing, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family and her very special friend, Jerry Basler.

Betty Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Betty Bullinger; her companion of many years, Jerry Basler, in December 2012; her brother, Mike Bullinger; and her sisters, Carol Troy and Annice Barsotti.

She is survived by her son, Daniel (Heidi) Malsam of Minden, Nev. ; her daughters, Lisa (Guy Duerwald) Malsam of Grass Valley, Calif., Emily (Michael Melas) Malsam of Grass Valley, Calif., and Frankie (Dennis Bell) Malsam of San Rafael, Calif. ; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and her sister, Emily Lamey of Everett, Wash.