Juanita “Nita” Lamey

Juanita “Nita” Lamey, 92, passed away early Friday, April 25, 2008 at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

She was born on May 26, 1915 in Pattonsburg, Mo. Nita was the first born with five siblings: John, Cleo, Viola, Floyd, and Basil.

Her parents, Ike and Retta Bozarth, moved the family to Arizona in 1921.

It was here that Nita began working on a dude ranch where she fell in love with F.B. “Byde” Lamey. The couple was married on Oct. 2, 1935, then they moved to Montana in 1936 where they began breeding purebred Hereford cattle.

They celebrated the birth of their first child, Barbara in June 1938 and the birth of their second child, Fritz in September 1939. In July 1944, Nita and Byde completed their family with the birth of their youngest child, Patricia.

The family settled at Phillips Creek Ranch, north of Eureka in 1948. Nita and Byde jokingly referred to it as Poverty Flats.

Nita was a very busy and dedicated mother and wife. Unfortunately, Byde passed away in 1971, putting Nita’s strengths to the test. Her strength was matched by her independent, hardworking personality.

She was always supportive when the need arose. She made many trips to visit and help her siblings throughout the years. Listening to her brothers sing and playing cards with the family were some of her favorite pasttimes. Nita also instilled her virtues for the generations to come.

Nita went into nursing home care in November 2001.

In addition to Byde, Nita was preceded in death by her brothers, John and Floyd, and her two grandchildren, Tina and Cameron.

She is survived by her siblings: Cleo, Viola, and Basil; her three children: Barbara, Fritz, and Patricia; 13 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

She will be remembered as a strong, supportive woman who loved her family and friends for all they brought to her life.

Graveside services will be held in Eureka at a later date. Arrangements are by Nelson & Vial Funeral Home & Crematory.