Lucille Evelyn Wethern, 91, passed away peacefully under the loving care of her family on March 8, 2017 in Glasgow, Montana.

Lucille was born in Bozeman, Montana and raised in Great Falls, Montana. After marrying Gilbert Wethern in 1947, they raised five children on the farm and in the community of Geraldine, Montana and later in Fort Benton, Montana after a move in 1966. It was there that Lou embarked on a career as dietary manager for the Fort Benton hospital and nursing home; weaving together her health-giving, magical ways with food. She was well respected for her kind and caring personality. As a consummate cook, along with a generous heart, her home was the gathering place for friends and family. One knew the benefit of showing up around dinner time and was always made to feel welcome. She was especially famous for her pies and many a time found all the pie making ingredients on the counter when she would visit, and with a smile, put on an apron. As an avid reader, one of her favorite places was the library where staff became close friends and when her eyesight waned, she later found much pleasure in the "Books on Tape" program. She was a great fan of the Broadway musicals and obtained seasonal passes to watch the live performances at the Great Falls Civic Center year after year. When Gilbert died in 1989, she moved to Great Falls, engaging in a caregiving role for an aunt and then later her mother and father. After their death, she befriended and assisted many in her apartment complex community and later was fortunate to be looked after by ones of that same community, until her move to the assisted living in Fort Benton. There she received the best of care and felt at home being reunited with many friends and staff who quite literally became surrogate family. In 2014, she moved to the assisted living in Glasgow, Montana and was cared for by loving staff and then her son and his family. One of her greatest joys was to watch her brood grow into 15 beautiful grandchildren whom she lavished with unconditional love and over time that extended to 24 great-grandchildren. Her kind and loving spirit will sorely be missed in this world and will surely brighten the next.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husband (1989); a son, Duane Wethern and son-in-law, Jerry Koch (2005); a daughter, Evelyn Nelson (2007); son-in-law, Don Nelson (1999); a granddaughter, Lindsey Wethern (2015); and brothers, Bob Lasher (2008) and Bob Cartwright (2016).

She is survived by her daughters, Linda Wethern of Tualatin, Oregon and Ann (Bruce) Koch of Palomar Mountain, CA; son Dennis (Connie) Wethern of Glasgow, Montana; sister Shirley (John) Pitcher of Fort Worth, Texas; sister Tana (John) Damann of Mindan, Nevada; sister Juanita (Winton) Rollins of Great Falls, Montana; brother Wayne (Dorla) Cartwright of Helena, Montana; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins of a very large and loving family.

A celebration to honor Lou's life will be announced and held in Fort Benton at a later date. Benton Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Lucille's online memorial page at www.bentonfh.com to leave a message of condolence for the family.