Betty Jean Lamphier was born on February 23, 1929, to parents Andy and Hazel Schlenz in Poplar, Montana. Betty attended Breezy Flats School until she graduated from eighth grade.

Betty helped her parents on the farm until she moved to Sidney with her sister Mona and worked at the Sidney Dry Cleaners. Betty married Clifford R. Lamphier on March 18, 1950, and they had six children, Dwight, Gloria, LaMont, Milo, Luanne, and Tammy.

Betty worked at home taking care of the family and household. There was not much that she could not do inside or outside the family home. From taking care of the animals, building fence, changing an electrical outlet, canning, sewing, baking bread, making butter, cooking – you name it she could do it, and do it well. Once all the kids were in school, she worked at the LaLonde Hotel because it was “too quiet” at home.

After the kids were all grown up and Clifford retired, she went to work for the Sidney Public Schools as a custodian for 10 years until her retirement. During her employment she was nominated and awarded Teacher of the Month by the students. Even though she was not officially a teacher, the students insisted that she taught them many things, like cleanliness and treating each other with kindness and respect. Her kindness was an example to everyone that had the privilege of knowing her.

Betty loved her family and usually put their needs before her own. She was fun loving, had an easy smile and laugh. The grandkids could talk her into doing almost anything and there wasn’t a child or animal that didn’t warm up to her. She was affectionately known as Great Betty by her Great Grandchildren.

Mom passed away peacefully at the age of 96 at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s home on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

She is survived by three sons, Dwight (Marjorie) of Lander, WY, LaMont (Marie) of Glendive, MT, and Milo (Debbie) of Thompson Falls, MT; three daughters Gloria Sanders (Jim) and Luanne Williams (Terry), both of Sidney, MT and Tammy Jensen (Jerry) of Camas, WA; 15 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, 2 sisters Joyce Hernandez of Sidney, MT and Della Baker of Billings, MT; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorial Contribution