Rachel Marie Scott

ABSAROKEE - Rachel Marie Scott passed away Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, at Vintage Suites Assisted Living Center in Billings, where she had been residing for about one year. Rachel was born to Ruby and Cyril Nelson on Oct. 4, 1920, in Oswego. A quick learner, Rachel graduated from Frazer High School at the age of 16. She met Russell Fallgatter Scott and they were married in Havre on Valentine's Day in 1939.
Rachel lived her life raising two daughters and two sons while helping Russell farm and ranch in Valley County. She worked extremely hard to be sure that all of her children received a college education. Another of her interests was politics. A lifelong Republican, one of the highlights of her campaigning was the chance to meet and escort Senator Barry Goldwater for a short time when he was running for president.
Rachel and Russell moved to Absarokee to live in 1980.
Rachel was preceded in death by an infant son, Bill; her parents; her brother, Cyril "Buster" Nelson; and her husband, Russell.
Survivors include brother Gerald (Gloria) Nelson of Billings; daughters, Betty (James) Reid of Poplar, Thale (Donald) Arthun of Absarokee; sons Fred (Pam) Scott of Billings and Tom Scott of Rigby, Idaho; grandchildren, Wilbur (Ericka) Reid of Poplar, Shawn (Kevin) Kenelty of Poplar, Jay Scott of Manhattan Beach, Calif., Lieveke (Jon) Engleking of Corona Del Mar, Calif., Dione Scott of London, England, Scott (Emily) Arthun of Absarokee, and David (Kayce) Arthun of Chugiak, Alaska; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Absarokee. Burial will be in the Rosebud Cemetery in Absarokee.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Big Sky Hospice, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Absarokee, Absarokee Volunteer Fire & Ambulance or a charity of your choice.
Smith Funeral Chapels-Columbus is in charge of arrangements.

This obituary was originally published in the Billings Gazette.