Betty Lou Malmberg

Betty Lou Malmberg of Havre and Bozeman, Mont., passed away peacefully of congestive heart failure on Feb. 27, 2013. She was born Jan. 25, 1927, in Hibbing, Minn. to William and Bertha Harrison, the youngest of four children.

Betty attended the University of Minnesota, was a member of Alpha Tau Delta, the professional nursing sorority, and graduated with a degree in nursing in June 1950.

After marrying her college boyfriend, Paul Malmberg, the newlyweds moved west to the growing town of Havre to start a new life together. With her certificate of public health nursing in hand, Betty served for several years as the Hill County Nurse until the births of their two children, Vicki and Steve. She later returned to nursing until both she and Paul retired to spend winters traveling throughout the southwest in their motor home.

In 1996, after 46 years of loving marriage, Paul passed away and over the next years Betty remained active socializing and playing bridge with friends, gardening, reading, walking, and participating in various volunteer activities. In the more than half century that Betty lived in Havre, unshakeable, lifelong bonds were forged with many friends, each one lovingly nurtured with kindness, humor and a grace special to her.   

In 2012, after resisting the wishes of her children for many years, Betty moved into the Spring Meadows Retirement Home in Bozeman to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law. There she resumed her daily walks and organized bridge with the other residents right up to the day before her passing.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Malmberg; her parents; her brother, Yhone Harrison; and her two sisters, Vivian Bartoletti and Charlotte Stuempges.

Survivors include her daughter, Vicki McNiven; granddaughter, Lara McNiven; and son Steve Malmberg (Shelley Watters).

Memorials in Betty's name may be made to the Havre Public Library, the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org), or to a charity of your choice

An informal gathering to remember Betty's life will be held at the Eagles Manor on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 2 p.m.