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KALISPELL - Former Great Falls native Beverly
Jean Espelin, 76, died July 12 at Brendon House Hospice Care in Kalispell
after a prolonged illness caused by mercury poisoning. A memorial service is 2 p.m. Sunday at the
VFW in Eureka, with private family interment in Highland Cemetery. Survivors include her husband Tom Price; her
children, Dawn (Arnold) Schandelson, Henry T. "Ted" (Roberta)
Espelin III and Nancy Espelin; grandchildren Scott (Shannon) Schandelson,
Brett Schandelson, Bryan Brennan, Kellie Brennan, Tony (Carrie) Guida and
Nick (Jennifer) Guida; and great-grandchildren Alex Schandelson and Aidan
Schandelson. Additionally she is survived by Tom's children, Tom (Annette)
Delong, Willie (Tran) Stevens, Barry (Cathy) Price, TH (Amy) Price,
Florrie Benner and Gail (Kelly) Mee; 28 grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sister-in-laws Claudia Higson and
Phyllis Nelson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr.
Henry T. Espelin; her daughter, Heidi Espelin; and her brother, Nels
Ballestad. Loved and missed by all, Bev never met a
stranger she didn't like. Bev's smile and gentle sensitivity has been
missed these years as she slowly slipped away from her loved ones. Even
the last few days of her life, she managed to offer up a smile and a
short laugh. Beverly began life April 1, 1931, the
daughter of Louise and Nils Ballestad, and was joined several years later
by a brother, Nels. After finishing school in Great Falls, she married
Gayle "Jack" Collins and had a daughter, Dawn Marie. After
divorcing in 1949, she married Henry T. Espelin. She first moved to
Bozeman, Mont., to complete Henry's education at Montana State
University, where she also attended classes, then to Forest Grove, Ore.,
where Henry attended Pacific University and she continued her own
education. During this time, Henry "Ted" Espelin III was born.
After graduation, the family moved back to Great Falls, where Ted started
an optometric practice. The family relocated to Columbia Falls, Mont., in
1958, when Ted relocated his practice. They rented a house until Bev and
Ted built their own home, the first of three for Bev. Daughters Nancy and
Heidi were both born while the family was in Columbia Falls. In 1969, the
family returned to Great Falls when Ted purchased a practice. Bev
occasionally worked at Ted's office but primarily volunteered on many
civic and nonprofit causes such as the Heart Association, American Cancer
Society and the auxiliary boards of the Salvation Army, American
Optometric Association and other nonprofit causes. She also helped build
their dream home on the Missouri River. After the death of Ted in 1984, and her
daughter, Heidi, in 1986, she moved in 1987 to Eureka, Mont. In 1990, she
married longtime family friend Tom Price and built a house in the
foothills. Bev volunteered for several community projects in Eureka
including Toys for Tots, the Pet and Doll Parade, Special Olympics, VFW
Ladies Auxiliary and the annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner. She sat on
the board for District 5 for the Developmentally Disabled. Her personal
interests included golf and skiing and she was an avid reader and bridge
player. Memorials may be sent to VFW Ladies
Auxiliary, P.O. Box 1008, Eureka, MT 59917, or the Alzheimers
Association. |
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Published
in the Great Falls Tribune on 7/25/2007 |
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