Elizabeth (Bette) Leona Seibert Hawkins

Elizabeth (Bette) Leona Seibert Hawkins died at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, from natural causes. Bette was born on May 9, 1956, in Ronan to H. Homer and Anita R Seibert.

She’s preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Tom and Henry.

She is survived by her brother, Gregg Brown (Marabeth) of Great Falls, and sister, Mary Murray (Alan) of Wasilla, Alaska; nieces and nephews Jason Brown of Missoula, Jimi Brown of Colorado Springs, Colo., Chantel Mejias (Jose’) of Polson, Keith Murray (Kenya) of Helena, Jacob Seibert (Miranda) of Butte, Letita Starkel of Polson, Mike Murray (Jorie) of Fort Collins, Colo., and Chris Murray (Leah) of Helena; great nieces and nephews Cairn des Lions of Beaverton, Ore., and Ichor des Lions of Olympia, Wash., Sierra Brown of Colorado Springs, Oliver and Liam Mejias of Polson, Liam Broadwater and Waylon and Audrey Murray of Helena, Sydney Dickson and Annabelle Seibert of Polson, Thomas, Bethany, and Arthur Murray of Fort Collins, Colo., and Hunter, Addilynn, Matthew, Noah Murray and Baysen Boyce of Helena. She is also survived by aunts, uncles and numerous cousins. She also has some very close friends that survive – Bev (Ed) Brown of Pablo, and Doreen Johns of Ronan.

Bette grew up on the family ranch in Round Butte, 10 miles west of Ronan. As a young girl, she always loved to spend time with the animals, and she loved horses.

After she graduated from Ronan High School in 1975, she worked a short-order cook for Price’s Café and 4-B’s Restaurant in Polson. In 1983 she moved to Helena with her sister to attend the Helena Vo-Tech Center where she received her certificate in accounting.

Over the course of several years, she worked at various business in different capacities. She worked for the Helena YMCA as an accountant before becoming the office manager for Molerway Freight in Helena. She then took the sales position for Molerway Freight in the southern part of Montana which had her moving to Butte. She then became the Terminal Manager for a few years.

She eventually went to work for the Port of Montana as their dispatcher for trucks hauling product that came in on the railroad. During this time, she also ran her own business, Hawkins Freight Services that was contracted with Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad. During this time, she became known across the United States as a distribution expert and testified as such in court in different states.

After several years working in Butte, she moved back to Ronan where she helped raise her nephew, Jacob. She went to work for Hunt’s Timbers as their office manager.

Over the years she had developed diabetes and had some health issues. She went to work for Bishop Insurance as an insurance representative but realized this wasn’t what she really wanted to do.

She enrolled with Salish Kootenai College for Social Work. She wanted to help people that need the assistance. She had a dream of having her own equine therapy business for the Mission Valley to help troubled youth.

While attending college her health issues escalated but she wouldn’t be deterred. While in the hospital recuperating from having her right foot amputated, she received her bachelor’s degree in social work. She still had a hope of one day having her own equine therapy business.

Throughout her life, her love of horses grew, and she loved riding on trail rides, for pleasure, or just spending time grooming them. They were her release for the daily struggles.

Due to her continued health issues she had to retire and spent the last few years with family and friends. She cherished each one who was in her life. She knew how fragile life could be.

She spent a lot of time watching her great-niece, Annabelle, for her mom. Letitia and Annabelle held a special place in Bette’s heart.

We would like to thank Myrna Weatherwax and Sean Burrafato of Ronan for being such awesome neighbors to Bette. They were there for her when we couldn’t be.

Bette wished to be cremated, and the family has honored her wishes. There will be a Celebration of Life on June 21, 2025, at the Leon Club House east of Charlo. The family will keep everyone posted as the time draws closer.

Please make any memorials to the charity of your choice or any equine therapy groups in her name.