Betty L. Micknak, 91

Betty L. Blakney Micknak of Missoula passed away Dec. 12 from natural causes. 

She was born in June 1933 in Coeur d’Alene to Leonard and Evelyn Blakney. The family moved from Bayview to Pine Creek as her father worked for Bunker Hill Mining and Zine Plant. Betty’s mother owned and operated Evelyn’s Dress Shop in Smelterville in the 1950s. Betty and her three daughters were models in Evelyn’s fashion shows for the shop.

Betty had two brothers, Norman and Fred. 

While at Kingston High School, she was a member of the girls basketball and track teams and acted in a play. 

In 1952, she and her best friend, Mae, traveled by train to attend a dental assistant school in San Francisco. She was working for a dentist in Spokane when Don met her. He was stationed there with the Air Force. 

She and Don met at a youth group at Central Methodist Church also in 1952. They soon fell in love after dating and doing many fun activities with friends. They have often said to younger couples who’ve marveled at the long years of marriage that it’s due to the foundation of meeting in church and having Christ central in their lives. 

Betty had many hobbies and talents that she enjoyed. She was a painter with oils and had showings of her work in Montana and Idaho. She loved gardening, both flowers and vegetables. She had various childcare jobs over the years in Montana, Idaho and Massachusetts. She volunteered with the American Heart Association and volunteered with St. Patrick's Hospital for eight years. She was active in her church community and attended BSF Bible Studies for several years. 

Betty and Don had three daughters, and their marriage was filled with many adventures, travels and the blessings of being with friends and family along the way. 

Betty was a wonderful cook, baker, encourager, caregiver, teacher, decorator, nature/animal lover, seamstress, protector and prayer warrior. 

Betty is survived by her husband, Don; their three daughters, Sherry (Jim), Laurie (David) and Christie; six grandchildren, Zane (Imogen), Blake, Alena, Jacqueline, Autumn and Madeline; and great-grandson Bixby. Several nieces, nephews and a sister-in-law also survive her. 

Betty will be sorely missed by all friends and family whose lives she has touched for many years.