Betty Kleve died Thursday, August 29, 2013 at her home in Alliance.
Betty Lea Kleve 82, was born in Pawnee City, NE on November 16, 1930 to Fredia “Gladys” (Bradney) and Allan “Worthy” Montgomery. She lived in Fall City, Norfolk, Lincoln, and Omaha, before she graduated from Talmage High School in 1949. At a young age, Betty was known for her natural artistic ability, especially in drawing people. After high school she worked for Dr. Brown and Wards in Nebraska City. After moving to Alliance with her parents in 1953, she worked as a Northwestern Bell Telephone Operator until 1961.
Betty met her husband Eugene Kleve in 1957 at a dance in Hay Springs, NE. She said, “She knew she could trust him as soon as she met him,” and “Knew he was the right one for her.” They were married in April 18, 1959, in Alliance and lived there until 1964, when they moved to Aurora, NE. In 1969, they moved to Scottsbluff and lived there for about 19 years. Betty returned back to Alliance in 1988. She died at home, as she desired, on August 29, 2013.
She is survived by her husband Eugene, her daughters Lisa (Phil) Blanco of Gering, Regina (Tom) Paglia of Cazenovia, NY, her son Douglas “Doug” (Libby) Kleve of Lake Worth, FL, and her grandchildren, Chanice, Laettner, Shelton, and Sheridan Blanco; Erin, Vince, and Dominic Paglia; and Aiden and Christopher Kleve. She is also survived by her aunt Bonnie McNeil of Golden, CO.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Gladys Koch (April 1998), her adopted father, Alexis Koch (Jan 1998), her father, Worthy Montgomery (1958), and daughter, Karen Porter (1994).
Memorial Donation to Holy Rosary Catholic Church
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, August 31 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Father Lou Nollette officiating. A Rosary will be recited at 9:15 a.m. prior to the Mass. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.