Cover photo for Gretchen M. Westby 82 Of Glasgow Formerly Of Opheim Montana's Obituary
Gretchen M. Westby 82 Of Glasgow Formerly Of Opheim Montana Profile Photo
1941 Gretchen 2023

Gretchen M. Westby 82 Of Glasgow Formerly Of Opheim Montana

March 15, 1941 — October 29, 2023

Gretchen (Nelson) Westby was born March 15, 1941, in Glasgow, Montana to Elsa and Clinton Nelson, the oldest of four children. She was the last person to complete 8th grade at the North Bench Country School. After she graduated from high school in Opheim and Montana State University, she became an RN and worked as a surgical nurse at the Billings Deaconess Hospital.  She married Arlo “Bill” Westby on June 10, 1964, and they purchased the Westby family farm.  Their first child, Karen, was born in 1966, and their son, Todd, followed in 1969.  In 2004 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and was a 19-year cancer survivor.  Gretchen lived on the farm until the fall of 2021, when she moved to Prairie Ridge enjoying the relationships she had with the residents and staff, playing cards, and going to Bible study. She often shared, “This is the place to be.” Gretchen passed away peacefully on October 28, 2023, of natural causes.

Gretchen was very involved in the Opheim community and had a servant’s heart.  She was dedicated to her church and volunteered to teach Sunday School, VBS, helped with church functions, served on the church board, participated in Ladies’ Aid, and did a lot of behind-the-scenes work. She was also an essential part of the formation of the North Valley County EMT and carried the pager for many years.  She was in the Legion Auxiliary and helped with their various service activities.

Gretchen was a rock, a kind soul, and always someone you could talk to. She was a top-tier farmwife and a master at preparing large quantities of food for big crews and family gatherings, sometimes in a short amount of time. She summer fallowed, hauled grain, and helped feed cows. As a true caregiver, the list of people she helped in our community was long, including her husband, Bill, during his last few years.  Many benefitted from her compassion, kindness, and gracious ways.  She had a special way of making people feel important and had a naturally inclusive nature. She was an unconditional supporter, a voice of reason, and always found a way to be there for people.  Her loving nature was never competitive but she received the highest ranking from her grandchildren.

A life well lived!

Gretchen is preceded in death by her husband Bill; her parents Clinton and Elsa Nelson, her brothers David and Carl, and nephews Ryan, Clint and numerous loved ones.

Gretchen is survived by her daughter, Karen (Roger) Mayhall, her son, Todd (Lori) Westby, and her five grandchildren:  Quinn (Madison) and Paige Mayhall, and Brooke, Blaire, and Ty Westby.  She is also survived by Susanne (David Stubbs) Isakson and daughter, Faith.  Other survivors include her sister Doris Moore, sisters-in-law Karleen (Roger) Kleeman, Lynette (Tom) Hagan, and brother-in-law Kerm Westby, and other family and friends.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gretchen M. Westby 82 Of Glasgow Formerly Of Opheim Montana, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Family Receiving Friends

Friday, November 3, 2023

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Mountain time)

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Funeral Service

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Starts at 11:00 am (Mountain time)

Opheim Community Church

, Opheim, MT

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Burial

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Starts at 12:00 pm (Mountain time)

Lawndale Cemetery

, Opheim, MT

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Funeral Reception

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Starts at 12:15 pm (Mountain time)

Opheim Community Church

, Opheim, MT

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