Beth Chester

A Memorial Service for Beth Chester, 56, of Seattle, WA formerly of Baker, MT will be at 1:00 p. m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012, in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker, MT. Inurnment will follow in the Medicine Rocks Church Cemetery south of Willard, MT. Beth passed away at her home in Seattle on Thursday, February 2, 2012, following a two year battle with cancer. Elizabeth Ann Chester was born on July 15, 1955, at the US Navel Base Hospital in Coronado, CA, where her father was stationed in the US Navy. She was the daughter of Merlin Edward ?Bud? and Darlene Ruth (Certsinger) Chester. At the age of one year, Beth and her parents moved to the family farm 18 miles south of Baker. When she started school, they moved to town, where she lived and attended Baker Public Schools for the next 13 years. During her high school years, she was not only an accomplished student, but enjoyed activities such as baton twirling, drill team and band, in which she played the saxophone. Upon graduation from Baker High School in 1973, she spent the summer painting at the high school and driving tractor for her dad on the farm. In the fall, she left for the University of Montana, where she received a B. A. in Psychology. Upon completion of college, Beth decided to see the world and began a career as a flight attendant for Northwest Orient. She continued to ?fly the skies? until her battle with cancer led her to her early retirement in 2011. On her days off, she loved being outdoors, enjoying camping, hiking, skiing, bicycling and competing in events such as triathlons. While pursuing a full time career, she returned to school and earned a second degree, this time in landscape design and started her own business, ?Arbor Gardens?. These amazing skills were put to use creating designs for others, as well as building an oasis around her own home, which has been enjoyed by many. In 2000, Beth met the love of her life, Robert Oliger at a ?SnoJokes? ski club meeting. In 2001, they bought a home in Magnolia. They spent countless days and nights, planning, dreaming and working together to turn this house into their new dream home. On October 8, 2006, they sealed their love by joining their lives together in marriage. Beth was a wonderful cook, who spent many hours in the kitchen that she had designed, turning recipes into works of art. Family and friends spent many happy hours around her table, enjoying great food, good wine and stimulating conversation. An avid collector, she loved adding to the beautiful wine cellar that she and Bob built. She completed a sommelier wine course and enjoyed implementing her knowledge and skills by sharing the very best with friends. What Beth loved most was spending time with her family and friends. She was a very special ?Auntie Beth? and a beloved wife, sister and daughter! Those who knew her will always miss her, but will find comfort in the lifetime of special memories that they have shared with her!Those who preceded Beth in death were her grandparents, Mart and Violet Cretsinger of Baker, MT and Ed and Susan Chester of Madison, MN; her parents, Merlin ?Bud? and Darlene Chester of Baker, MT. Survivors include her husband, Robert Oliger of Seattle, WA; her sister, Donna (Doug) Rowe and her brother, Richard (Patti) Chester both of Baker, MT; her six nieces and nephews, Brian (Ashley) Rowe, Meagan (Shawn) Bleth, Erika (Brennen) Wong, Kristin (Kendrick) Ehret, Anthony Chester and Daniel Chester and three great-nieces and nephews, Jackson and Kade Bleth and Madison Rowe.


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Burial Date: March 10, 2012
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Memorial Service: Saturday, Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT