Beatrice Larae Schallenberger

Beatrice LaRae Schallenberger, 82, of Hamilton passed away peacefully Friday, March 29, 2013 in her room at the Discovery Care Centre surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 2, 1930 in Darby, Montana to Albert and Retta Christopherson. She was the 5th of nine children and known affectionately as "Pete" to her close family and friends.

Pete grew up in the Conner area on the family ranch. She was a good helper to her Dad and could milk a cow as well as her brothers. She attended Darby Schools through her freshman year, when at 15 A½ she married a tall, handsome Navy seaman, Archie Schallenberger. Their love affair lasted 66 beautiful years. At 18, she gave birth to her first son, James Schallenberger, followed by son, Steven Lynn, and the "light of her Life", daughter, Patti Rae. She was a proud and loving mother and housewife. The love she invested was returned to her threefold-through her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Her home was always bursting with pictures, and she treasured each and every one of them.

Pete and Archie resided in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1959 until Archie retired in 1988, at which time they returned to Montana and made Hamilton their home. Pete was an excellent cook, immaculate housekeeper, capable bowler, and talented crafter. She loved flowers-especially her backyard full of purple lilacs and yellow wild roses.

Pete is survived by her husband, Archie of Hamilton; son James Schallenberger of Tonopah, NV; daughter Patti Rae of Hamilton; grandchildren, Michael (Kelly) Schallenberger of Billings; Nichole (fiance', Zach) Schallenberger of Boise, ID; Angela (Ben) Sperry of Tonopah, NV; Namaste (Jerry) Butler of Postfalls, ID; eleven great-grandchildren; four sisters, June Holt of Hamilton; Cora Mae(Robert) House of Darby; Janice (Tom) Heiland of Darby, and Joyce Higginbotham of Sula; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; her son and angel, Steven Lynn; brothers Duane and Lynn Christopherson; and sisters Dorothy Armstrong and Ruby Bratton.