Beatrice Lunda

Beatrice “Bea” Rose Lunda, 82, of Conrad, Montana passed away on April 1st, 2026. Bea was born on March 11, 1944, in Lewistown, Montana to Elizabeth and Hedley Arthur. She grew up on the family farm in Winifred where she developed a lifelong love for horses. She graduated from Winifred High School in 1962. Bea traveled the state with her sister Patsy for a time, working the rodeo circuit as a barrel racer before obtaining her teaching degree from MSU Northern. After graduation she went on to teach in central Montana country schools, Catholic schools, and eventually went on to teach at the middle school in Shelby.

She met the love of her life, Tony, after being set up on a blind date in 1967. After a brief courtship they were married in Reno, Nevada in 1968. Their first son, Travis, was born in 1969 followed by their son, Tyler, in 1970. During that time, Bea tried her hand as a long-haul truck driver and as a postal carrier for the United States Postal Service. In 1980 Bea and Tony adopted their son, Thatcher. Shortly after, the family moved to the Marias Fair Grounds. She then launched into her esteemed career as an Indian Child Welfare Specialist for the state of Montana. She traveled the state helping children and families in difficult and sometimes dire situations.

She was able to retire early with full accolades from the state of Montana at the age of 55. Retirement did not suit her and she went on to purchase and operate the Conrad Liquor Store until her second retirement at the age of 73. During her years at the liquor store, she dove headlong into community work, becoming a driving force with helping to establish and maintain a Christmas giving program that provided Christmas dinners and put gifts under the tree for children in need within the Conrad area. This is a proud tradition that carries on to this day.

Those who knew Bea also knew she was a strong woman with a fiery sense of loyalty that burned for her friends, family, and community. One person described her as “tough, bold, and unforgettable” and that is how she would have loved to have been remembered. She was a poker-playing cowgirl who loved a good joke and country music. She helped countless people in countless ways her entire life, and she left her community better than she found it. She will be deeply missed.

Bea is survived by her son, Thatcher (Erika); grandson, Elijah Reems; brother, Sid Arthur (Penny); brother, Larry Arthur; and many nieces and nephews.

Bea was preceded in death by her parents, Hedley and Elizabeth Arthur; her husband, Tony; two of her sons, Travis and Tyler; sister, Patsy Simac; and by 3 brothers, Jim Arthur, Don Arthur, and Tony Arthur.

Celebration of Life will be Saturday, April 18, at 2:00 pm at Whitted Funeral Chapel Shelby.