Betty Jane (Wittman) Harrison

Betty Jane (Wittman) Harrison

Betty Jane (Wittman) Harrison, 92, passed away on Oct. 2, 2021, at Billings Clinic Hospital, surrounded by her family. She was born on Oct. 8, 1928, in Huntley, the oldest child of Samuel Wittman and Katie (Nafts) Wittman. Betty attended grade school in Huntley and high school in Billings.

Betty graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1947. Following graduation, she worked as an operator for Mountain Bell Telephone Co. Betty met Frank J. Harrison on a blind date and they later married on May 25, 1951. They started their first home on an acreage a little north of Billings, naming Hilltop Road. Together, they had their three daughters, Robin, Leslie and Lori. In 1960, the family moved to Havre, then to Helena about a year and a half later. Betty was an exceptional, self-taught seamstress, sewing the majority of her daughters’ clothing. Upon retirement, Frank and Betty moved to Stagecoach Trail between Manhattan and Bozeman, where they maintained a beautiful property with horses, a large garden, plentiful flower beds, and endless places for adventure for their children and grandchildren when they came to visit.

Betty loved animals, especially feeding and watching birds. She was a natural green thumb, getting just about any plant to grow well. She played the organ, crocheted, and taught her grandchildren how to play cribbage. Betty could out-fish any member of her family. She had a strong heart and a quick wit, leaving many memorable “one-liners” for family members.

Betty later moved to Billings, residing most recently at Sweetwater Retirement Community. While living at Sweetwater, Betty had two dogs, Corky and then Lamy, her two “little boys” that kept her and the residents of Sweetwater good company.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Katie Wittman; husband Frank Harrison; and son-in-law Ed Charlton.

Betty will be greatly missed. Surviving her are her siblings, Louise Adolph, Hilda Rymer, and Ron (Dolly) Wittman; three daughters, Robin (Jim) Trangmoe, Leslie Harrison and Lori Charlton; grandchildren Sarah (Chris) Undem, Kale Trangmoe, Lindsay (Jeff) Simon, Brooke (Joe) Kragt, Hayley (Chuck) Madler, Cody (Layna) Charlton, Carly (Michael) Nason, and Nadia Harrison; great-grandchildren Keely, Tayla and Vesper Undem; Jace, Cauy and Jordyn Trangmoe; Greir, Egan and Brewer Simon; Greyleigh and Whitten Kragt; Logan, Landon and Colby Madler; Paisley and Tatum Charlton; and Oscar, Theo and Mackenzie Nason. 

A viewing will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., in Billings. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, with a reception to follow.

Those who wish to remember Betty in a special way may donate in her memory to Help for Homeless Pets, 2910 Hannon Road, Billings, MT 59101.

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