Marion Beley passed away on March 22nd, 2024 in Bozeman, Montana with family at her side. She was born on November 18, 1940 in Big Timber, Montana, the second of five children, to Jaretha (Jeefie) Jarrett Beley and Hans (Bunny) Beley. She was a fourth generation Montanan. Her great grandparents and both grandmothers came to Montana in covered wagons where they became cattle and sheep ranchers.
Marion grew up on the family ranch near Big Timber and enjoyed helping with haying, herding sheep, riding horseback and doing all the things ranch kids do. She was involved in 4-H and chose mainly beef projects. Her favorite horse that she owned was a palomino named Gold Dust.
Marion attended Rapstad School, the country school near the ranch, for grades first through eighth. She graduated from Sweet Grass County High School in 1958 where she won awards at speech competitions and was editor of the school paper. After high school she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Montana State College (now University) in 1962. After graduating from college she taught for four years in Great Falls, Montana, then one year in Belgrade, Montana. For the remainder of her teaching career she taught at the Big Timber Grade School for the next forty one years. She mainly taught third grade and compiled an amazing scrapbook featuring each of her forty one classes in Big Timber. When her nieces and nephews were third graders they would come to spend one day in her classroom. One niece commented, "Auntie Marion sure makes you know those multiplication facts"! When not teaching during the summer she often traveled to other countries and would then share her experiences with her students.
Marion was a member of The Big Timber Lutheran Church, a volunteer at The Crazy Mountain Museum, and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Honor Society of women educators. She was an avid fan of the Seattle Mariners and almost never missed a game on tv and also followed the Sweet Grass County Sheepherders in basketball up until her passing. She was a good bridge player and enjoyed playing many card and other family games such as Scrabble.
Close friends and family were very important to her and she hosted many family gatherings. She took many pictures and created and maintained wonderful scrapbooks of the family history.
Marion was preceded in death by her parents, sister Kathleen and brother-in-law Jerry Ebelt. She is survived by two brothers, Joe Beley of Big Timber and Byron Beley of Helena and her sister Trish Rice of Bozeman as well as six nieces: Kaye Ebelt, Sharon Ebelt, Kim Quinn, Christina Rice, Sandi LaVoy, and Dee Beley and four nephews: Chad Beley, Bryce Beley, Burl Beley and Jon Ebelt and fourteen great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the many special care givers that she became so close to at Highgate Senior Living where she has lived for the past four years.
A private burial will be held at Mountain View Cemetery prior to the memorial service. A memorial service will be held at the Big Timber Lutheran Church at 12:00 on Thursday, April 4th.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Crazy Mountain Museum, PO Box 83, Big Timber, MT 59011
A Teacher
takes a hand
opens a mind
and touches a heart
shapes the future
Thank You, Miss Beley
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Previous Events
Memorial Service
4
Apr
115 West 4th Avenue
PO Box 278
Big Timber, MT 59011
Cemetery Details
Location
West of Big Timber
Big Timber, MT 59011
Crazy Mountain Museum
Big Timber, MT 59011