Betty L. Lloyd

Hamilton - Betty Lou (Bergum) Lloyd, 97, of Hamilton, entered in to eternal rest Friday, February 7th, 2026 surrounded by her sons, dear friends and the amazing staff of both The Remington and Bitterroot Health Hospice.

Betty Lou was the youngest of six children born to Herbert Power Bergum and Flora Helen (Benedict) Bergrum, October 14, 1928 in Great Falls, Montana. At the age of two her family moved to Wolf Creek, MT. Betty Lou proudly reminisced about the rugged and difficult conditions of living in a rustic home with no indoor plumbing or electricity. Despite the lack of amenities this Wolf Creek homestead was and is a treasured, special place to the entire Lloyd family, hence Betty's request that her ashes be spread there.

Betty took great pride in her school years in Wolf Creek where she attended a two room schoolhouse from first through eighth grade. Betty took pride in playing in the 1940s Wolf Creek Harmonica Band. She loved riding horses, driving her dad's truck into the mountains with best friend, roommate and later her maid of honor, her cousin Margaret Wirth.

The following year to attend High School she would endure a one way 36 mile bus ride to Helena. That hardship led to her spending many school weeks away from her Wolf Creek family home, and staying with her eldest sister Ruth whom by then was working and living in Helena.  She graduated in 1946.

During the weekends in Wolf Creek she spent playing basketball and attending the country dances where she admits to being "smitten" immediately when Walter Ford Lloyd walked into the dance wearing his Marine uniform, they starting dating and were married on July 31st, 1948.

Married for 65 years until his passing May 17th, 2013, just months shy of being inducted into the Helena Sports Hall of Fame for his role in the 1945 Helena High Bengals State Championship Basketball team. Betty Lou along with her children attended the induction ceremony and received the great honor for her husband as a family.

After Walts Marine service, through the GI Bill, he took an apprenticeship with Mountain Bell Telephone Company, that career path led them to relocate to Stevensville, MT.

Betty worked different jobs throughout their marriage, but her full-time job was a homemaker and mother.

She took great pride in her 50+ year sobriety and her dedication to the 12 Step AA program, sponsoring other alcoholics and participating in AA activities and events.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents and siblings. The most heartbreaking loss was the far too early and tragic suffering of her brother Private First Class Donald Allen Bergum, who was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. After joining the Army 1941 he was stationed in the Philippines Islands. Donald among 750 other American soldiers were captured, became a Prisoner of War and was in The Bataan Death March April 10th, 1942. Later he was a prisoner on a Japanese Hell Ship freighter heading to Japan when sunk by US submarine torpedoes. This tragic story and loss hit the Bergum family very hard and 81 years later is still a heartbreaking reality. Betty was very proud of his service and sacrifice.

Betty is survived by her three sons, Rick Lloyd (Sonia) of Turah, Thomas Lloyd (Kendra) of Hamilton and Patrick Lloyd and wife Karen of Jerome, ID; a daughter, Jane Lloyd of Missoula; six grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

A Celebration of Life for all family and friends will take place sometime in the spring. Betty Lou's ashes will be spread by her son's at the Lloyd's treasured family homestead in Wolf Creek.

In lieu of flowers the family recommends that memorials be made in Betty’s name to Bitterroot Health Hospice. Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel.