Local artist's work accepted by Holter Museum of Art

Retired schoolteacher, counselor and local artist Betty Fountain-Magnus is celebrating having an art piece accepted by the Holter Art Museum in Helena, Mont.

This is a particular delight, as the piece is a portrait of the late Norman Jeffrey Holter, who played an important role as an employer and patron in her life.

"It's my way of honoring the man, a patron who paid my way to college and encouraged me to do art," Magnus said.

Holter was a patron of the arts and sciences who went on to invent the Holter heart monitor, among other achievements and contributions to society.

Magnus attended Carroll College in Helena. While working as a cook at the White Tail Ranch, she met Holter's wife, Joan Treacy Holter. Magnus became nanny to the four Holter children as well as a loved part of their family.

"I wonder, was it luck or coincidence that I met this man, that I was in Montana at the time," Magnus said.

Magnus lives in Hayden Lake and enjoys all art mediums, though finds pencil drawing and portraiture to be her favorite. Her family is proud of her achievements and enjoys hearing the rich stories of her youth.