Betty Ann (Elizabeth) Woods, 54

Betty Ann (Elizabeth) Woods, 54, of Columbia Falls, grabbed a ray of sun and rode away while held by her family Sept.10, 2006, at HealthCenter NorthWest in Kalispell.

Betty was born in Billings on Sunday, July 13, 1952, to Richard and Ellen Zaharko. Born as a caulbearer, she was destined for greatness.

She met Timothy Howard Woods at the Augusta Rodeo in the summer of 1973. Following two years of courtship, they began their marriage of 31 years on Sept. 6, 1975. Betty was a wonderful, caring mother, deeply involved in the lives and interests of her three children, Richard William, Lance Elliott, and Barbara Ann.

Betty graduated from Great Falls Central High in 1970. Her passion for nursing was first formalized by her certification as a nurse's aide. She graduated from the Northern Montana College of Nursing in 1975, launching a rich and distinguished career of healing and helping those in need. This career began as a certified nurse's aide in Columbus Hospital. She then served as a nurse at Warm Springs State Psychiatric Hospital. She brought her compassion and experience next to Deaconess Hospital Psychiatric Unit in Great Falls.

Many know Betty best, however, from her 28 years of service at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She began on the medical floor, and rapidly moved to the Intensive Care Unit. Here, Betty found her fondest passion; helping those critically ill or in the most dire need of her lifesaving talents. This passion drew her to the Emergency Room and the ALERT flight team, where she found her true calling.

Betty has worked in many capacities to serve and improve her community. She was never one to sit back when the community had needs. As a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, she helped guide our community's youth with strong values and interests. As a member of the Columbia Falls Baseball Association, she fostered teamwork and sportsmanship, as well as being an ardent fan and supporter. Betty's work on the Columbia Falls Three Rivers Ambulance Board focused on serving as an advocate for the volunteers to raise community awareness of their efforts, as a mentor and guide for its members, and guest lecturing and other training in the Flathead Valley.

Betty loved life to its fullest, and had many diverse hobbies that demonstrated her vitality and fun-loving nature. Her love of fishing started early in life. Throughout her life, she continually enjoyed the sport, from her early years with her grandparents, Joe and Sophie Zaharko, and her parents, Rich and Ellen, through her many fishing trips with her husband and children, she fished at any opportunity. Her nurturing nature was also expressed by her gardening and raising livestock. Although she raised many types of animals over the years, sheep were her favorite, and she spent many hours helping them lamb and tending their hurts, and served as an active member of the Montana Columbia Sheepbreeder's Association.

An avid rockhound, she sought minerals both precious and mundane, from sapphires and diamonds, to ordinary but pretty rocks. A reader of eclectic tastes, Betty read at an amazing rate, through topics fanciful and practical. She wrote stories and poems of her own, on many diverse topics. This creativity also manifested in an astounding array of crafts, in many different fields and styles. She loved to travel, and was always up for a road trip. Betty loved dancing, and seized every opportunity to shake her booty to rock, country, or whatever had a good beat.

Betty is survived by many friends and relatives, her loving husband, Tim; their three children, Rich, his wife, Julie, and son, Alex; Lance and his wife, Stephanie, and daughters, Bryn and Gwendolyn; and Barbie and her husband, Jason. She is also survived by her parents, Richard and Ellen Zaharko; aunts and uncles, Jean and Jay Hutchison, Jim Hagberg, Anne and Dick Willems, Nellie Hagberg, Eddie and Linda Hagberg, Herk and Donna Hagberg, Robert and Pat Zaharko; sisters and brother-in-law, Marsha and Ken Haynes, and their beloved children, Brenda, Michelle, and Stacy; Wally and Dianne Woods and their children, Vicki, Veda, and Woody; Arthelle Duke and her children, Lee and Danielle.

She will be welcomed on her journey by Sophie and Joe Zaharko, Oscar and Irene Hagberg, Toad and Irene Woods, John Hagberg, and other friends and relatives.

Please join us in celebrating Betty's life and legacy 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Richard's Catholic Church of Columbia Falls.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the Betty Woods Flathead Valley Emergency Services Endowment, c/o Northwest Healthcare Foundation, 310 Sunny View Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901. Following the ceremony, there will be a pot-luck luncheon at the Blue Moon in Columbia Falls.