Betty Limes

Betty “Lee” Limes was “helped along by the Lord” to paradise early Tuesday morning, April 21, 2015, with her loving family by her side.

Lee was born Aug. 6, 1928, in Cottier, Wyo., to L.E. and Ula Johnson. Later, her mother married Fred Thuemagle, whom she called “Dad.” Her family moved to Ogden, Utah, where she graduated from high school. After high school, she set out for adventure working for Union Pacific/Sun Valley in the winters, as a waitress in the Ram and as a ski instructor, then traveling by train for summer jobs in Bryce Canyon and Laguna Beach. She eventually settled full-time in Sun Valley, Idaho, where she worked at night and skied during the day.

In Sun Valley, she met the handsome love of her life, Jimmie Limes, and they were married June 1957. Together, they enjoyed all Sun Valley had to offer, skiing, hunting, tennis and a special group of lifelong friends. Lee always worked hard to provide the chance for her family to participate in all things Idaho. She also liked to have a good time and make sure everyone else did too. She could make a new friend in minutes, and they would be her friend from that point on.

She really shined when it came to entertaining. She would plan for weeks for her annual friends’ and family Thanksgiving dinner, making sure we were all well fed and had a great time. She and Dad would throw at least one old-fashioned picnic every summer at their home with potato sack races, egg tosses and bingo.

Lee was a constant at Warm Springs Restaurant where she worked for many years before moving on to manage the Gold Mine Thrift Store.

Wanting to stay close to her daughter, Lynn and family, she retired from the Gold Mine and packed up 50 years of life and set out on a new adventure, moving to Clinton, Mont. Lee made friends easily and was soon involved in the community. She became a member of Clinton Community Church, attending women’s bible study, and decorating for the monthly senior luncheon. She made a great group of friends in the “sewing club.” Lee didn’t sew, but she liked to have coffee and visit with this group. She traveled to Missoula regularly to volunteer at St. Pat’s Hospital.

Lee shared a very special and close relationship with her family, especially her grandson, Harrison. Her eyes lit up when she talked about him. She loved to go shopping and have lunch with me and loved her son-in-law, Hal, as a son. Most recently, she enjoyed spending more time with her granddaughters and great-grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed by us all.

Lee was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Jim; son, Lance; and sisters, Patricia and Barbara.

She is survived by her daughter, Lynn, and her husband, Hal Leadlay; grandson, Harrison Leadlay; granddaughters, Cassie (Ed) Morgan and Angie (Nick) Hayes; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a niece, Candy (Steve) Papier, and family, whom all held a special place in her heart.

Lee requested that we not hold services for her. I think she would be happy if you took a friend or friends to lunch and just remembered her.

John 14:1-3 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”