Betty Mae Corum

Elizabeth “Betty” Mae Lewis Corum, 97, was born on May 11, 1929, in her grandmother’s home in Missoula and passed away on August 24, 2026. The oldest of three girls, she was born to Robert “Bob” and Adella Worrnth Lewis. When Betty was just 2½ years old, the family moved to Ronan. 

After graduating from Ronan High School in 1947, Betty attended Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon. While Betty was away at school, the Christian Missionary Alliance Church—now Terrace Lake Community Church—was founded in Ronan. After one semester in Portland, she transferred to Simpson Bible College in Seattle, a Christian Missionary Alliance school. Betty became a charter member of the new church back home after her father had added her name to the membership list to help the congregation reach the minimum number of members needed to organize. Nearly eight decades later, she still attends the same church. 

After graduating from Simpson Bible College in 1950, Betty returned home but was unable to find work. To create opportunities for herself, she borrowed $200 from the bank and enrolled in business college in Missoula. Upon graduating a Civil Service appointment came through for a position with the U.S. Army at Fort Missoula. While working at Fort Missoula, Betty met John William Corum. The couple married in1952. Over the next several years, Betty and John followed work wherever it took them, living in Missoula, Spokane, St. Mary’s, Kalispell and Noxon before eventually returning to Ronan, where John found steady employment with Plum Creek.

As they built a home, they also built a family. Between 1953 and 1976, Betty and John welcomed children. Betty is survived by her children– Jeffrey (Lynette) Corum, Carey (Dawson) Swanberg, Brian (Donna) Corum, Amy (Richard) Keltgen, Deborah (Rick) Dennison and Robert Corum and her grandchildren: Kevin Corum, Lisa Corum, Cryse Heiner, Ryan Corum, Jennifer Metzgar, Kit Corum, Kristine Keltgen, David Keltgen, Matthew Keltgen, Dallas Andrews, Justin Andrews, Trent Dennison, and Jessica Dennison. Betty had numerous great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. She is survived by her sister, Lynette Denton, of Eckert, Colorado. Preceding her in death was her loving husband of 60 years, John Corum, and her beloved sister, Joyce Town. 

In Betty’s later years, Trude Hunsucker became her treasured friend, visiting her weekly for several years.

A Bible verse instructing believers to "remember the women, the widows and all of the orphans" stayed with Betty throughout her life. John and Betty began a 25-year journey as foster parents, during which they provided stability and love to numerous children including Christopher Powell and Wyatt Powell. It was during her school years that Betty discovered a lifelong passion for art. Betty developed a painting style that incorporated every color on her palette into each subject of her scenic landscapes. The paintings that once filled her home now hang in the homes of her children, grandchildren, and friends. Her artistic talent was also displayed in creating flower arrangements. She often provided arrangements for her church and the Ronan Senior Center.

After John's passing in 2013, Betty continued living independently until a fall in 2025 left her unable to walk. She moved to St. Luke Extended Care. Betty was an avid reader all of her life. When her eyesight declined, she enjoyed listening to audiobooks. She kept a journal and began writing the story of her life. The family remembers her as knowledgeable on numerous subjects. Conversation was always interesting.

While the world around her changed dramatically, much of what defines Betty's life remained constant. Her creativity reflected the beauty she saw in the world around her. Her faith guided her. She longed to see her Lord and Savior and authored a book concerning Biblical end times. Perhaps the legacy of these quiet gifts is her greatest masterpiece yet.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be on September 12 @ 11:00 a.m., Terrace Lake Community Church in Ronan.

Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.