Obituary - Evalee Bebee

Evalee Bebee, aged 91, a caring mother, grandma, and great-grandma, died of natural causes Friday, June 14, 2024, at her home in Great Falls.

Cremation took place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home. 

A celebration of life will be held August 10, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Schnider Funeral Home, 1510 13th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405.

After the celebration of life there will be a private interment in Hillcrest Lawn Mausoleum.

Evalee was born on the family farm north of Malta, Montana, April 11, 1933. She graduated from high school in Malta and attended college at Northern Montana College.

She married the love of her life, Kenneth, September 25, 1953, in Malta at the little white church. They made their home in Havre, Montana, and raised three sons. 

She worked as a seamstress and could mend or build anything with a needle, fabric, and thread. She was a nurturer of all living things, and to say she had a green thumb would be an understatement. Her garden was always the talk of the neighborhood, and each fall she would have a bountiful harvest that she was excited to share with all.

She loved to attend her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's ball games no matter the weather and often would take video of them with her camera.

Over the course of four decades, Evalee fought five different cancer diagnoses. From her first diagnosis at the age of 50 to her last battle at the age of 91, she told her family numerous times, "I'm not sure why God didn't take me years ago, but I guess he's not done with me."

And done he was not! 

During her 41 years of cancer battles and remissions, she was present for, and took witness to, her family growing into caring, giving souls raising their broods and sowing her teachings of love, laughter, and kindness into the next generation and beyond.

Wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, and devoted friend, we will miss you, dear Evie! With all our love until we meet again, God Bless.

Evalee is survived by her sons, John (Kim) Bebee, Steve (Mary Pat) Bebee, and Grant (Doree) Bebee; sister Mary Smith; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Kenneth Bebee; brothers, George Smith and Robert Smith, and sister Faye Smith.

Memorials are suggested to the Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation (3004 15th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405; the American Cancer Society (550 N. 31st, Suite 103, Billings, MT 59101); or to a charity of the donor's choice.