Elizabeth J. "Betty Jo" Strissel, 83, passed away due to natural causes on Sunday, November 12, 2017, at the Northern Montana Care Center. A visitation will be held from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2017, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel. Her funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 20, 2017, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Deacon Tim Maroney officiating. Betty Jo's family has suggested memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association or the charity of the donor's choice. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Betty Jo's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at www.hollandbonine.com .

Betty Jo was born on February 3, 1934, in Havre to Mark J. and Josephine K. (Emily) Mayer, Sr. She was raised in Havre, graduating from Havre High School in 1952. While she was in grade school, Betty Jo worked at Sacred Heart Hospital with her sister Dee Dee, where they would clean the kitchen.

Betty Jo became a nurse's aide by taking classes at Sacred Heart Hospital, and after obtaining her training, she worked at the rest home that was located across the street from the present Havre Middle School on Old Post Road. She also worked at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd and at an all woman's hospital in Las Vegas, NV.

Betty Jo had a gentle nature and a smile on her face. People were drawn to her kindness. She was a meticulous housekeeper, loved to garden, and was known for the many beautiful afghans she made for family and friends. She even made crocheted baptism gowns for family members. Betty was the ultimate DIY house transformer. Every house she lived in, she would paint and apply her "personal touch" to, and she made every house a home.

Betty Jo married William R. Nickels with whom she had her son Bill, and the couple later divorced. She later married Edwin Morell with whom she had her son Michael. They, too, later divorced. Sometime later, she married Roger Strissel, and they too elected to divorce.

Betty Jo was preceded in death by her parents Mark and Josephine Mayer, Sr.; her brother Frank Mayer; and her sisters, Ramona Irvin, Patricia Smith, and Ellen "Dee Dee" Stubban.

She is survived by her sons, Bill (Nancie) Nickels of Las Vegas, NV, and Mike Morell of Havre; her four grandchildren; her six great-grandchildren; her brothers Patrick (Jackie) Mayer, Mark (Darlene) Mayer Jr., and David (Kay) Mayer, all of Havre; and numerous nieces and nephews.