Betty Jean Brakke

Betty Jean Brakke

Betty Jean (Martin) Brakke passed away on November 20, 2010 at Powell Valley Healthcare. She was 85.

She was born on January 26, 1925 to Lester and Ruby (Fuller) Martin. She started school in the last class allowed to start school in the middle of the year at McKinley School, one week before she turned six years old. She attended schools in Billings, and graduated from Billings Senior High in the middle of the year in 1943. After graduation she worked at the Woolworth Store until she married Everett Brakke on September 13, 1943, and then she went to Arizona and was an airplane mechanic during World War II.

The couple returned to Montana and resided in Billings until 1953 at which time they moved to Powell. Betty worked at the Anthony Store and True Value Hardware, as well as at the Powell High School.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Gary Brakke, (who passed as the result of a brain tumor in 1984); her brothers, Lester “Bud” Martin, and Edward “Dean” Martin; and her sister, Bessie Britton.

She is survived by her husband, Everett, of Powell; her sons Ray (Kathleen) Brakke of Denver, Colorado, Daniel (Darlis) Brakke of Kansas City, Missouri, and Steven (Jolene) Brakke of Powell; daughter, Cheryl (William) Watson, of Billings, Montana; grandchildren, Michael and Christine Brakke of Denver, Colorado, Erik and Ryan Brakke of Kansas City, Missouri, and Chelsea and Kevin Brakke of Powell; and her sister Paulette Imhoff of Billings, Montana.

Cremation has taken place, and a private family graveside service will be planned for a later date.