Betty Joe Dusko

Betty Joe Dusko, 94, passed away on May 22, 2020.Betty was born on July 8, 1925 in Deer Lodge, MT to Effie and Webster Quickenden, Sr.The family soon moved to Great Falls.Betty graduated from Great Falls High School in 1943.She worked various jobs after graduation and after she was first married. Betty and Carl E. Dusko married on April 1, 1944 at the First Congregational Church in Great Falls, after Carl returned from the Army. Betty was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother.It was her true calling in life.She and Carl had four children; Carlee (Robert) Schott, Lana Hayes, Ken (Bev) Dusko, and Cathy (Brett) Hochhalter. After an accident at the ACM Company, Carl retired and Betty went to work at the Wagon Wheel Motel as the head housekeeper.She later worked as a hostess/cashier at the Sheraton.Carl passed away in 1985.Betty was 60 years old and had never driven a car, so her children made her go to driving school to get a driver’s license.She passed the test on the very first try! Betty kept busy with her yard which had belonged to her husband’s mom and dad.When they passed on, Carl and Betty bought it and raised their children there.Betty was an avid walker and loved to dance.She enjoyed going to the Eagles, Elks, and Moose Club to listen to the accordion players.Her yard and flowers were her love after Carl died.She also loved her family. Betty is survived by her children; eight grandchildren,Carl (Cindy) Schott, Russell (Libby) Schott, Jeff (Holly) Schott,Rhonda Rowe, Ryan Dusko, Kevin (Angela) Dusko, Nic (Theresa) Nagel, Kirsten (Bobby) Dalton; 15 great-grandchildren,Rhea, Robert, Karl, Braydon, and Alex Schott, Haley Marsing, Logan, Kylie, and Kendall Rowe, Bradly Lakey, Tristen, Kiran, and Sam Dusko, Connor Clayton, and Grayson Hochhalter; and one great-great-granddaughter, Addasyn Benoit. Betty belonged to a group that called themselves simply "the Club."They were a group of Great Falls High School girls in the late 30s and 40s that formed the club and met once a month for their entire lives;Nina Colfield, Lois Madsen, Helen Parchen, Babe Ewald, Peggy Jacobson, Margaret Palagi, and Marion (Nygard) Hayes. We thank you for being our mom’s life-long friends. Betty lived in her home until she was 91, and when dementia took over, she moved into the Beehive Memory Care unit.Thank you to the Beehive staff for your love, compassion, and care of our mom for almost four years.Each and every one of you are God sent.You are loved and appreciated.A special thank you to Hope for being with Mom at the end of her battle with dementia.A special thank you also to Cierra for all of your work and help that last day when we thought we were moving forward. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; parents; brother, Bud Quickenden; and son-in-law, Dick Hayes. We will love you always, Mom, and miss you deeply. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Benefis Peace Hospice (2600 15th Ave S, Great Falls 59405) or a local charity of your choice. A graveside service will be held Monday, June 1, 2020, at 11:00 am at Mount Olivet Cemetery.Visitation will be held Sunday, May 31, 2020 from 5-7 pm at O’Connor Funeral Home.