Larry and Betsy Pahut celebrate 50th wedding anniversary

Larry and Betsy Pahut (Hidalgo) of Anaconda are celebrating 50 years of marriage, as tomorrow – Saturday, April 5, 2025 – will be their 50th wedding anniversary.

Larry and Betsy married April 5, 1975, at St. Peter’s Church with Father Sladich officiating.

During their first years, Larry and Betsy resided in Anaconda where Larry worked at the BA&P Railroad and Betsy worked at the Community Hospital. They also began to build their family, having two daughters, AmyJo and Brandee. 

Wanting a change they decided to move to Oregon where they lived in Troutdale, Oregon for about three years. They realized that their roots were in Anaconda and wanted to raise their family at home, so they moved back to Anaconda. They settled down and began to make new memories in their new and forever home.

When they returned, Betsy and Larry co-owned Granny’s Kitchen for about five years. Although owning Granny’s was a great experience, Larry and Betsy wanted something more. Betsy decided to go back to college and graduated from Montana Tech in 1992, along with joining the Naval Reserve serving our country during Desert Storm. Betsy also added 30 years of service at the Montana Power in Butte until her retirement in 2017; to help take care of her mother Nita Frankovich until her passing in 2018.

Larry also enjoyed helping coach girls’ freshman basketball from 1991-1995 and in his final season coaching his girls went undefeated.

Larry spent time working at both the men and women’s prisons. After about 10 years, Larry spent some time at the Brown School in Deer Lodge until closing. He then became the Justice of the Peace in Anaconda from 2010 until he retired in 2024.

Larry and Betsy love life and are enjoying retirement. They both stay very busy. If you want to find Larry, he’ll either be at the lake, on the golf course, hunting or traveling to Bobcat Football games. Larry also volunteers with city clean up during the summer months, shovels and mows lawns for those who are unable to. When he has time Larry also loves to travel to see his grandchildren in Texas and in Butte.

Betsy has always loved the arts, so you’ll find her painting, crafting or at craft shows, connecting with others through her Avon business and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Betsy and Larry are so proud of their children and grandchildren. Lauri (Hatcher) Pagan of Okinawa, Japan and her children Spencer, Hannah Mae and LillyJo; AmyJo, their eldest who lives in Butte has three boys – Tryston, 29, and Taylor (of Dillon), Cayden, 21, and Canyon, 19, both of Butte. Brandee and her husband Doug reside in Abilene, Texas with their children Landen, 20, Hadley, 14, and their angel in heaven, Sarah. 

During the cold seasons of Montana, Larry and Betsy leave the mountains for warmer weather and snowbird in Arizona. 

Larry and Betsy love everything about Anaconda. They love the community and the people. Their roots are dug deep, and it holds a special place in their hearts. Anaconda will always be home to them.

An anniversary celebration will be held later this summer when their children and grandchildren are able to be together.  

We wish Larry and Betsy a happy 50th anniversary.