Lydia Walters
Lydia was finally called home in the early morning hours of June 16, 2018, after living 105 years on this earth. A kinder, gentler, unassuming person won’t be found. Even as her time was growing near, she never complained and was so appreciative of her caregivers. Thank you to the Vista staff for making her last 5 ½ years with you so pleasant, and to Compassus Hospice for their help in her final days.
Mom was born on March 15, 1913, in Garden City, Kansas to Conrad and Mary Oblander, the youngest of five children. Shortly thereafter the family moved to the Huntley Project area, where Lydia remained until moving to Billings in 2012.
She married Ed Walters on January 15, 1935, and they began their life together farming, milking cows, and raising chickens. She and Dad worked side by side their entire marriage. Probably the best purchase they ever made (in her mind) was their first John Deere tractor with a cab and air conditioning – she was in 7thHeaven! It meant so much to her that her family remains on the “home place”, continuing on with what they had started – minus the milk cows and chickens, however!
Losing their son, Jim, in a car accident in 1968 was definitely the most trying time in her life, but she carried on with faith, grace, and dignity. After Dad passed away in 1991, Mom spent her time attending Bethlehem Congregational Church in Worden, Senior Citizens, and volunteering at the Huntley Project Museum and at Pompeys Pillar. She volunteered well into her 90’s, and made the trip up to the “top of the rock” once every summer. She enjoyed the time she spent volunteering very much and loved meeting new people and visiting with them.
She is survived by her daughter, Teri (Dan) Swartz; grandchildren, Natalie (Curt) Havens, Doug (Bonnie) Walters, Stacey Pewonka, and Brett (Justine) Swartz; seven great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, and several nieces and nephews. Her nephew, Richard (Munien) Kindsfather and friend, Darlene Laferriere, held such a special place in her heart. Thank you for all your visits and help you provided to Mom over the years.
A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, June 21, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Congregational Church in Worden. Memorials may be made to the church, P.O. Box 96, Worden, Montana 59088, or to the charity of your choice.
