July 30, 1945-Aug. 18, 2019
On August 18, 2019 with a bright shining star blinking in the southwest sky and a heavenly game of bingo to be played Bev went to join her husband Ray for a new journey.
Bev was born in Butte, Montana on July 30, 1945 to Mae O’Donnell and Taisto Silanpaa and later adopted by Stan and Elma Sutherland.
Bev worked for many years at Ming’s Café in Butte as a waitress and then upon moving to Absarokee in 1988 she worked at the Chrome Bar.
On February 16, 1980 Bev married the love of her life and soul mate, Ray and gave her children a dad who loved them all unconditionally. As a family, Michele and Mike could still pull the wool over Bev’s eyes even though Ray would see right through their antics. Bev’s love for her husband and children was no hidden secret to anybody!
On February 16, 2001 along with a 21st wedding anniversary to celebrate, Bev became a very proud grandma to Carlee Dawn. Bev loved her granddaughter with as much love as a grandma can give her grandchild.
Bev looked forward to Wednesday night bingo and visiting with all her bingo friends. G59 will forever be a lucky number for all of us! Bev also was a huge supporter of a local non-profit, Kruizin’ 4 Seniors, her daughter, Michele, started 11 years ago. Bev was always willing to help in any way she could and couldn’t wait for any upcoming fundraisers along with her special friendships with many on the Board of Directors.
Survivors include daughter Michele Orlich of Absarokee, son Mike Orlich of Spokane, granddaughter Carlee Pekarski of Couer d’Alene, sisters Connie (Curt) Skelien of Butte, Gloria (Owen) Perala of New York Mills, MN, Michele Kason of Butte and Colleen O’Donnell of Coeur d’Alene and brother Tim (Mary) O’Donnell of Whitehall. Sister-in-laws Gladys Jessop of Boulder, Sharon (Dave) Pumalo of Florence, Cathy (John) Sheperd of Boulder and Connie (Tom) Hyndman of Twin Bridges. Brother-in-laws Bob (Linda) Miotke of Three Forks, Jim (Robin) Miotke of Frenchtown and Dennis (Caroline) of Twin Bridges and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. Very special friends Kathy Palin, Linda Arthun, Allan and Jackie Speck, Linda Heimer and Daisy Rahman.
Bev was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Ray, sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Jim Barkell, brother Mike Sutherland, her children’s grandmother, Helen Orlich, parents Mae O’Donnell and Taisto Silanpaa, adopted parents Stan and Elma Sutherland, in-laws Frank and Elsie Miotke, sister-in-law Evelyn Mitchell and her beloved Two-Step Missy.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established at First Interstate Bank of Absarokee ( Beverly Miotke Memorial P.O. Box 480 Absarokee, MT 59001) to be distributed to area organizations, Kruizin’ 4 Seniors, Inc. and Absarokee Fire / Ambulance.
A celebration of Bev’s life along with a luncheon will be held September 7, 2019 at Anipro Arena (3 miles south of Absarokee on Highway 78) beginning at 2 p.m. Bev will join her husband, Ray, at the Silver Star cemetery, Silver Star, MT, on Sunday September 8, 2019 at 1 p.m.