Clear, 49° F
(June 6, 1925 - Nov. 24, 2011)
Elizabeth Roos Evertz, 86, of Joliet, Mont., died Nov. 24, 2011 in Billings. Her children and grandchildren were at her side.
Betty was born on June 6, 1925, in Terry, Mont., to Anthony and Vera (Carlson) Roos. She graduated from Terry High School. After high school she went to Seattle to work in the naval department. She returned to Billings in 1946 and attended beauty college. While working in Billings as a beautician, she met Robert Evertz. They were married October 1947 and moved to a two room ranch house northwest of Joliet. They continued to expand on their ranch and family for the next 63 years until Bob’s death in January 2011.
Betty was active with running her own beauty shop. She was a longstanding member of Montana Extension Homemakers, holding state offices. She was a member of Carbon County Development Council, St John’s Altar society, Town and Country Quilters and a 4-H leader for 25 years.
Betty’s many talents included pottery, upholstery, china painting, gardening, water and oil painting, woodworking, cake decorating, sewing and quilting which she shared with family, and numerous members of communities teaching classes in her home and at retreats.
In 1965, Betty and Bob became licensed foster parents and continued to have children in their home for the next 30-plus years. Children came and stayed for weeks or years and frequently returned for holidays with their children. They also housed exchange students from Brazil, Germany, Indonesia and a Vietnam returnee from Princeton.
She was the oldest of three children and was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, her parents, and sister Arlene Steiger.
She is survived by her sister, Ann Marie Ebelt; and her four children, Lynn Evertz of Powell, Gary (Elaine) Evertz, Greg (Colette) Evertz, both of Joliet, and Chris (Leslie) Evertz of Busby, Mont; long-term foster children, Scott, Kim, Peggy, Tonitte, and Tanna, plus many other foster children over the last 30 years. She also is survived by 11 grandchildren and seven great-children.
Vigil services will be 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Joliet, Mont. Funeral Mass will be held there at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Rite of Committal will follow at the Joliet Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Rocky Mountain Hospice or charity of choice.
