BJ Lunnen, 80

Bertha Jo Fitchett Lunnen passed away on Feb. 29, 2924, due to complications from a medical procedure.

Jo was born on July 22, 1943, to Jesse Franklin "Frank" Fitchett and Maggie Alti Brewer Fitchett in Dove Creek, Colo. She had three older brothers and one younger brother and was the only daughter. The family also lived in Blanding and Diamond Valley, Utah, before moving to Heron, Mont., in 1946. Her life took her to other locations, but Heron was always home. 

She married Raymond Boyd Lunnen, the love of her life, in May 1960 and over the next 10 years they had five children. Eventually, she was “Granny” to 23 grandchildren. Jo loved being a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. She adored her children and grandchildren and was adored by them. She was also very dedicated to her many cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Jo always put the needs of others before her own. She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous roles including Relief Society President several times and Stake Young Women's President. Raising her children in the Church was very important to her and four of her five children served LDS missions. Jo and Boyd also served a mission in the Spokane, Wash., LDS Employment Center. 

Jo was active in community service as well. The Heron Community Center and The Heron Players were a tremendous source of joy. She was in numerous plays over the 20 years that the Heron Players existed. What started as a small fundraiser for HCC, grew into dozens of zany performances that made so many people happy. Jo made costumes, scoured thrift stores, sewed napkins, wrote, and directed some of the plays, and had parts in others.  As the Heron Players aged, the company was disbanded a few years ago and Jo truly missed it and the friendships with all the other Heron Players. 

Jo was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Winfred, Ray, and Paul. Survivors include her husband, Boyd Lunnen; brother, Donny Fitchett; and her children, Kim Smithborne, Tammy Clark [Mark] Jeffery Lunnen [Joni], Jeremy Lunnen [Laura], and Kirk Lunnen [Dawnmarie]. She has 23 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. 

Jo's memorial will be Saturday, March 16, at 2 p.m. Mountain Time at the Heron Community Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heron Community Center, Heron MT 59844.

Family and friends are invited to sign Jo’s online guestbook at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.