Roy Bettenhausen

Funeral Services for Roy Bettenhausen, 90, of Baker, MT will be at 11:00 a. m. on Monday, February 15, 2010, at American Lutheran Church in Baker, MT with Pastors Bruce & Reba Kolasch officiating. Interment will follow in Bonnievale Cemetery at Baker with Military Rite being accorded by the Baker American Legion, Fallon Post #35 and the Montana National Guard Honor Guard. Visitation will be 2:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Sunday, February 14th, at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with a Prayer Service at 5:00 p. m. in the Chapel. Roy Harvey Bettenhausen passed away on Feb. 10 at the Glendive Medical Center. Roy was born on October 10, 1919, to William and Albina (Kremer) Bettenhausen in McIntosh County, ND, one of 11 children. At the age of 16 Roy joined the CCC and spent the next few years fighting fires and lumberjacking in Washington and Oregon. In his spare time, he boxed to earn extra money, as all of his CCC money was sent home to his family. He considered professional boxing as a career until the war changed his mind; he joined the army on Feb. 20, 1941. As a member of the Third Division, he participated in 4 amphibious landings: Casablanca, Sicily, Anzio and South France and fought in numerous campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Goffia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He once remarked that he had not slept in a bed for over 3 years. He was awarded the Croix de Geurre with Palm, Distinguished Unit Citation, Bronze Service Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, American Defense Medal and 5 Overseas Bars. Upon his discharge in 1945, he earned his pilot?s license and enrolled in Auto body school in Fargo, ND on the VA Plan. It was there that he met a beautiful, red-headed nursing student, Alice Beckman, whom he married on Nov. 3, 1948. They moved to Wishek, ND where Roy built and ran the Wishek Body Shop/Standard Gas Station and where their son Shane was born. In 1954, they sold the business and moved to Baker, Alice?s hometown, where Roy built the Baker Body Shop with his brother-in-law Norm Stenerson. Roy stayed busy with his business, re-building two airplanes with friends, camping and fishing on the Boulder and traveling to Anzio in 1979 with Alice and war buddies for a reunion of the Third Division. Roy sold the Body Shop in 1981 and ?retired?. He enjoyed fishing and golfing with his buddies Norm, Tom, JK, Otto, Whimp and his grandchildren. Roy also enjoyed woodworking and painting, creating many treasures which he gladly gave away. Roy was a long time member of the ALC Church Choir; he was generous with his time and his love. Roy and Alice spent many hours following their grandchildren?s activities and spending picnics, holidays, and vacations with Shane and his family. Roy is survived by his wife Alice of Baker, son Shane (Carole) of Baker, grandsons Caleb of Missoula (a member of the ROTC and Army Reserves), Slade, a freshman at Dickinson State University, and Darby of the family home and numerous nieces and nephews. His grandchildren will be forever grateful that they were able to live right next door to Grandpa and Grandma and spend time with them. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, all 10 siblings, brothers-in-law Norm, Buzz Flint, sister-in-law Jean Stenerson and nieces and nephews. His grandchildren will always cherish and remember Grandpa Roy?s saying, ?Ready on the left, ready on the right, ready on the firing line, commence firing. ?


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Burial Date: February 15, 2010
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Monday, American Lutheran Church, Baker, MT