Arlene “Betty” Crom Durham (ABCD), 92, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on July 9, 2026, in Bozeman, Montana. Betty was born on February 7, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois. As a child, she enjoyed summers on the many Illinois lakes, explored her beloved city of Chicago, and thrived in school as both a good student and a social butterfly. Betty was at home anywhere and had a way of making others feel at home as well. She made friends easily and never met a stranger, a trait she carried throughout her life.

Betty graduated from Grayslake High School in 1951. Shortly after graduation, she began working as an administrative assistant at the Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois. It was during this time that she became charmed by a sailor, Lindon “Doc” Durham. A man in uniform was hard to resist, and they had their first date at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears. Whether Betty always loved sports or if it was Lin’s influence is hard to say, but sports became a beloved shared interest for the couple. Betty had met her match in Lin, a charismatic man from Montana with an easy laugh, and the two soon married in September 1954 in Round Lake, Illinois.

While Lin was still attending dental school at Northwestern, they welcomed their first two children, Mick (1957) and Karen (1958). Following Lin’s schooling, the young family headed west to Montana, where Lin grew up and opened his dental practice. Betty worked behind the scenes at the small-town dental office, where they became cherished members of the community. Social as ever, Betty loved planning and hosting gatherings. She had a knack for decorating and could make even the most ordinary events special. She had many girlfriends and always looked forward to their bridge club dates. Dinner and dancing at the supper club was another favorite pastime of Betty’s, but nothing could compare to raising her children. During those early years in Three Forks, Lin and Betty welcomed two more children into their family, Laurie (1962) and Mark (1965), making them a family of six.

Always willing to lend a helping hand, Betty and her friends established the very first Three Forks Booster Club. Betty was a woman of faith and was a long-time active member of the Methodist Church, where she spent hours creating Easter lily masterpieces, Christmas tree magic, or even just adding flair to an everyday Sunday service.

Betty’s best days were spent with her family. She was an amazing mother; however, if you asked her grandchildren, they would say she loved them the most. The thing about Betty was that she really was a mother or grandmother to anyone who needed her to be one. A natural caretaker, she had a knack for knowing when someone needed a little extra love. She was always willing to host the sleepover, give a ride, meet you at the cafe, care for a sick grandkid, lend a listening ear, and offer a hug. Her hugs and caring nature extended well beyond just her family. She was a loyal friend, with many friendships spanning decades.

Speaking of loyalty, no one spent more hours in the gym, at the ball field, or at the track supporting her family and their teams. You were most likely to see her in Bobcats, Wolves, Bulldogs, or Digger gear. Betty was everyone’s biggest fan, and she was always one of the first to celebrate the wins, but she also was always there to pick you up after a loss. Even after the passing of Lin, after almost 50 years of marriage, she continued to support her family in all their endeavors. No doubt she will continue cheering from above.

Betty celebrated all of life’s many occasions with a joyful heart. Holidays were always made special, and nothing brought her more happiness than having her large family together. She relished the family’s yearly summer vacation to Whitefish Lake with all her children and grandchildren and loved being back by the water, having grown up next to Round and Grays Lake in Illinois. Up until recently, she continued to host Monday night pizza on her porch, a weekly tradition the family will miss greatly, as her absence in the everyday moments of their lives will be where they miss her most.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Inez Crom; her husband, Lindon Durham; and her brother, Mike Crom. She is survived by her children, Mick (Donna Durham), Karen (Bill Buttelman), Laurie (Bill Mack), and Mark Durham; grandchildren Casey (Charlotte Durham), Whitney (Kevin Bird), Shann (Nolan Glueckert), Carley (James Hennessy), Mikaela (Roger Bentley), Shelby (Derek Allen), Kalli (Ed Lally), Kelsey (Hayden Binde), Shayla (Ryan Stemple), Kobey, Shainy (Colter Miller); and great-grandchildren Cason, Paxson, Ryder, Cameron, Corbin, Kaden, Brooks, Camilla, Louann, Cruz, Celine, Scottie, and Lainey.

Betty was as genuine, dependable, and loyal as they came. She took great pride in her family and their accomplishments and offered love wherever she could. She really was the glue that always held everyone together, and she will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the Three Forks community.

The celebration of her life will be held Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Three Forks Methodist Church, followed by graveside services at Fairview Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the Galvanized Event Center following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, or if you want to honor her memory, donations could be made to the Three Forks Methodist Church.