Viola Bechtold

Funeral Services for Viola I. (Vi) Bechtold, 59 of Baker will be 11:00 a. m. Thursday, August 18, 2005 at the First Baptist Church in Plevna. Burial will follow in the Community Union Cemetery in Plevna. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 17, 2005 from 1:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p. m. at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Vi passed away Saturday, August 13, 2005 at the Fallon Medical Complex in Baker. She was born October 24, 1945 in Baker, MT. Second of four children of Ernest and Irene Bechtold, she shared the same birthday with her dear Mother. Vi began her fine education at Willard Country School through sixth grade then completed her elementary and high school education in Baker, graduating in 1963. Vi then attended Seattle Pacific College where she received her Bachelor of Nursing Degree in 1967. It was in Seattle, which she loved, where she started her career in nursing. Her chosen profession afforded her the opportunity to practice nursing in various locations across the country. After practicing in Seattle, she provided care for a multitude of patients from Billings to Cleveland, OH, to West Palm Beach, FL to Phoenix, AZ. Vi served two years as a contract nurse for the Indian Health Service in Anchorage, AL. Her time spent in Alaska was a very special time for her. Vi shared a close relationship with her sister, Beryl, and moved to Portland, OR while Beryl attended Optometry school. It was at this time that Vi received her Critical Care Nursing Credential which allowed her to practice acute cardiac and emergency care for patients. She then moved to Sacramento where Beryl and her family resided. She spent 18 years in Sacramento until she suffered a minor stroke which rendered her disabled. At that time she moved back to Baker to be closer to her mom, brother, sister and extended family that provided loving care until her untimely death. Vi was very proud of the fact that she had provided exemplary bedside nursing for well over 30 years. Vi loved to travel and she prided herself in the fact that she had visited every state in the Union. Two special trips she shared with her mom were an Alaskan cruise and a vacation in Hawaii. Vi was a voracious reader and loved to learn new things. Many of her colleagues, as well as her siblings, thought of her as their personal mentor. Vi enjoyed time with family and friends. A visit with Vi was never complete without a competitive game of Scrabble. She had many keepsakes and was particularly fond of her Hummel collection. She also loved to collect crystal figurines and stuffed animals. Vi?s strong faith in the Lord sustained her through many trials in her life and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association held a special place in her heart. One of her final wishes was to attend the last Billy Graham Crusade in New York City this past June, but unfortunately her illness did not allow. Memorials may be made in her memory to the Billy Graham Crusade. Survivors include her mother, Irene Bechtold of Baker; a brother, Thomas (Joellen) Bechtold of Baker; two sisters: Kathleen (Emil) Sieler of Plevna, MT and Dr. Beryl Bechtold, O. D. (Jeff Hunt) of Sacramento, CA; six nieces: Kristin (John) Mainwaring of Napa, CA, Heidi (Justin) Sorlie of Shepherd, MT, Melissa (Todd) Ploeger of Plevna, MT, Michelle (Jay) Schumaker of Baker, MT, Marci (Tom) Breitbach of Clyde Park, MT and Maranda Sieler of Billings, MT; two nephews: Joel Bechtold of Billings, MT and Eric (Tara) Bechtold of Huntley Project, MT; three great-nieces and three great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her father.


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Burial Date: August 18, 2005
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Thursday, First Baptist Church, Plevna