Elizabeth Ruth Simpson

Elizabeth Ruth (Best) Simpson passed away surrounded by family on August 19, 2023 in Great Falls, Montana after a courageous battle with cancer.

Elizabeth, known to all as Betty, was born on November 1, 1937 to Dale and Judy Best in Lewistown, Montana. She joined her older brother, Kenny Best, and younger siblings, Stanley Best, Shirley (Best) Crofutt, and Tim Best, enjoying one of her favorite jobs as big sister to them all, as their protector, teacher and friend. They grew up in the country on the farm at Straw, Montana where Betty attended country school and later high school at Moore, Montana.

Growing up, Betty learned early on how to love and care for family, becoming a master of anything that needed to be done in the home, skills that served her well as a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She shared her cooking, sewing, and farming knowledge with all those she came in contact with, whether it was in making baby quilts and maternity clothes, giving haircuts, canning and preserving garden produce and berries on the farm or cooking delicious meals

She met her husband, Joseph R. Simpson, when they were both attending high school at Moore, Montana and first as high school sweethearts and later as husband and wife, they were married for 67 years. After spending the first years of their marriage in Moore, they settled on the ranch at Ross Fork, Montana where they raised children, barley, wheat and cattle.

Betty and Joe had five children Jerry, Dan, Janet, Lori and Julie and raised them on the ranch at Ross Fork where they helped with the farm work and household chores from a young age, teaching them all the value of hard work and sharing their skills with their children.

Over the years, Betty was fondly known as, Partner, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and Friend. She was very involved in the Moore Woman's Club for 66 years, serving as president twice, from 1973-1975, and from 2004-2006, and holding every other office over the years. As a member of this community service organization, Betty helped with whatever projects the group was working on, ranging from serving meals in the community to raising funds for school children and community improvement.

Betty, along with her husband, Joe, were over 50-year members of the Vesper Chapter Order of Eastern Star in Hobson, Montana. She was a Worthy Matron twice and held other offices nearly every year for those 50 years. She served on the Grand Chapter Committees, was a Grand Chapter Officer and belonged to the Daughters of the Nile for many years.

Betty was preceded in death by her sister, Darlene Best; her sister, Shirley Croffutt; her brother, Tim Best; and her grandson, Ryan Simpson.

Betty is survived by her husband, Joe Simpson of Moore, brother Kenneth Best and wife Linda of Lewistown, brother Stanley Best of Lewistown, son Jerry Simpson and wife Kathy of Moore, son Dan Simpson and wife Lauren of Ross Fork, daughter Janet Southworth and husband Chris of Park City, daughter Lori Goodman and husband Rick of Great Falls, and daughter Julie Kreps and husband Randy of Plentywood, 11 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.

The last five months of Betty's life were a struggle as she suffered a brain aneurism and fought a courageous battle with cancer, exhibiting great courage, grace, and perseverance through it all. The family would like to thank all of her care givers; Dr. Khan and his care team at St. Vincents in Billings and Dr. Tang and Dr. Rutter and their care team at Sletten/Benefis in Great Falls.

A poem written by Betty sums up her approach to life: "Journeys down life's road will unwind to many new horizons . . . So stop, take time to understand your goal. Remember our years together upon which our friendships grew. New friends you'll meet as the years go by, but the memories of home will be cherished forever."

A celebration of life service for Betty Simpson will be held on September 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at Cloyd's Funeral Home in Lewistown Montana. A reception will be held at The Moore Woman's Club immediately following the service.

Memorials can be made to the Moore Woman's Club, Moore Endowment Fund or Donors choice