Billie Embody

CUT BANK - Billie Margaret (Beringer) Embody, 79, a longtime Cut Bank and Conrad resident, died of natural causes Monday at a Cut Bank care center.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Pondera Funeral Home in Conrad, and services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by her sons Mark Embody of Kalispell and Doug and Marla Embody of Cut Bank; nieces Penny (Andy) Jariabka and Justin of Pasadena, Calif., and Linda Crawford of Kalispell; sister-in-law Shirley Embody of Waynesville, N.C.; and dear friend Pat Banka of Great Falls. Her beloved grandchildren include Michelle, Zach, Jessica (Nate), Matt (Abby), and Tyler. Great-grandchildren include Nathan, Jaycee, Asher, Rafe, Cash, Noah and Sierra.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Emmet R. Embody; parents Melvin and Doris Beringer; sister Peggy Ann Lowe; and an infant granddaughter, Brittany.
Billie Margaret was born Dec. 3, 1930, in Conrad, to Mel and Doris Beringer. She attended grade school in Dutton, graduating from Conrad High School in 1948. She went on to attend Colorado Women's College in Denver and the University of Montana in Missoula. In 1950, she married Emmet Embody in Conrad, where they resided for five years before moving to Cut Bank in 1955. She worked for Dr. Clayton Pederson, O.D., as his office manager and receptionist and, in 1968, assumed management of the State of Montana Liquor Store in Cut Bank.
Billie retired in 1986 and the couple moved west of the mountains to Coram, where they resided until 2004. At that time, they moved back to Conrad and, after her husband's death in 2007, she moved to Cut Bank to be closer to family.
Billie was a longtime member of St. Margaret's Catholic Church, and was a past president of St. Margaret's Guild. She was instrumental in organizing St. Margaret's round robin card parties and was an active and proud member of the Democratic Party. She enjoyed bridge games, puzzles, reading, watching football and sports, especially her Miami Dolphins, Fourth of July fireworks and spending time with her family.
Billie will be remembered for her strong and unwavering convictions, as well as her passion for detail. She was an impeccable bookkeeper who enjoyed keeping football records over the years, as well as her daily journals.
Her family suggests memorials to St. Margaret's Parish, 129 2nd Ave. SE, Cut Bank, MT 59427; or Glacier Care Center, 707 3rd St. SE, Cut Bank, MT 59427.
Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.