Elizabeth Jane "Betty" Hite was born on December 6th, 1920, in Butler, MO. The only child of Harry Delmont and Mary Gladys Funk Hite. A few years earlier, Mary had arrived in the Sarpy Basin, Big Horn Co. Montana to teach school. It didn't take long for her to catch the eye of local cowboy Harry Hite and they were married. Expecting a baby, Mary journeyed back home to Missouri and Betty was born. Six weeks later, Mary and Betty headed back to MT where they both spent the rest of their lives. Harry was quite smitten with his little daughter.

Mary homeschooled Betty to 4th grade level and then she attended the one room Wolf School in the Sarpy Basin. Betty spent her first year of high school living with her aunt and cousin Verle and Alice Hertzler in Lodge Grass. Betty attended Hardin High School her other 3 years of high school, boarding with the Graf family and traveling home to the Basin on weekends when weather permitted. She graduated in 1939 as Salutatorian of her class.

Betty spent the next few years ranching with her parents on their newly purchased ranch located on the Sarpy/Tullock divide (Burnt Creek) in Treasure Co.

Gerald Ferguson returned home after serving in WWII and he and Betty were married on November 9, 1945. After a land swap, they moved to the lower Sarpy Creek where they ranched and raised their family and made a good life. They were blessed with 2 children: Gerald Barry born in 1948 and Alice Susan in 1955. They enjoyed their good friends and neighbors, helping each other with cattle work, they enjoyed card playing, country dances and anything else social going on.

Betty loved to ride and help with cattle work. She loved horses and rode at an early age into her 70's and rode every chance she got. She had tons of stores from her youth in the Basin. In 1949, she was proud to have been crowned Hysham Rodeo Queen at one of Albert Newman's rodeos from a field of 16 contestants. Betty was an energetic, opinionated woman who had a strong work ethic that loved to entertain. She helped her husband farm, hay, ride, fence, and anything else he needed help with. She kept a good house, had a garden and yard, chickens, and sewed for her family. Grass didn't grow under her feet for sure.

As with everyone, she and Jerry had their highs and lows; the hardest low being the loss of their son in 1970 when he was just 21 years old. Being followers of the Christian faith helped them move forward and onward.

Betty was active and a member of several organizations and boards. A few were Sarpy Social Club, Community Presbyterian church, Treasure Riders, Woman's Club, Treasure Belles, memorial Vale Cemetery, Legion Auxiliary, WIFE and Hysham School Board. As she got older, she became a helpmate to other local seniors.

Betty always enjoyed watching her grand kids and great grandkids in school sports and 4H events.

In 1981, Betty and Jerry semi-retired by moving into Hysham. Jerry died in 2005. After several falls at her Hysham home, Betty moved into assisted living in Forsyth. When she required more care, she moved to Friendship Villa in Miles City. After it closed, Wibaux Co. Nursing home was her final move. She loved it there as she was still able to see and visit with the farm and ranching residents and partake in activities. Peacefully her life ended Aug 13, 2024, at 103 years of age.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerald, her son Barry, and her great granddaughter Reata Pinkerton. She is survived by her daughter Susie (David) Redding, her granddaughter, Jaylene Pinkerton, her grandson Clay (Yvonne) Redding and great granddaughters Nyla (Markus) Rothwell, Claire Redding and Kelsey Redding.

If you wish, memorials may be made to your choice of charity or the Wibaux County Nursing Home. Services have taken place. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website at www.stevensonandsons.com.

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Published by Forsyth Independent Press from Sep. 4 to Sep. 5, 2024.