Dorothy Jean Costle

Dorothy Jean Costle, 79, of Bozeman, MT, formerly of Livingston, MT passed away October 6th, 2014, one day after her birthday, in Birchwood at Hillcrest Assisted Living. A Funeral Service will be held Sat. October 11th at 2:30pm at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home in Livingston with Pastor Harlan Durgan officiating. Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery. Fellowship will follow the services at the Living Hope Church. Jean was born on October 5, 1935 in Livingston, MT. She was the daughter of Raymond and Ethelyn (Adams) Nelson. She received her education in Livingston and graduated from Park County High in 1953. In her childhood she spent some summers living in the high mountains helping her Grandma Mae Adams at sheep camp, and later in High School worked at the movie theater. Following graduation she moved to Helena where she worked for the State of Montana for one year as a stenographer, then transferred to the Dept. of Blind as a secretary. She could type 120 words per minute on the old manual typewriters. From her first marriage, a son, Bruce, was born on June 24, 1955. She later met William "Bill" Costle while living in Helena. On Nov. 18, 1960 Jean married Bill in Sand Point, ID. Her son, Michael John Costle was born October 17, 1961 in Livingston, MT. Jean and Bill moved to Livingston in 1961 as Bill was working with the Railroads Bridge &Building division. The railroad lead them to Missoula, MT, to Pasco, WA, to Billings, MT, and to Glendive, MT where Bill retired as Division Engineer with the Burlington Northern Railroad. They moved to Billings for 1 year before finally returning home to Livingston in 1987. In 2002, Jean moved to Bozeman to be closer to her son, Mike, and his family. While in Pasco, she was a Cub Scout Den Mother and ran her own cake decorating business. She also taught nutrition to low income families, often trying out her meals and recipes on her family first. Over the years she volunteered in school libraries, worked on all the scenery for a high school play, and volunteered at the hospital auxiliary. She also loved antiquing. She was a National Master Bridge player and was on the bowling league in Livingston. She loved to play cards with her grandchildren, read, knit (supplying all her family with homemade slippers), travel, do crossword puzzles, dance, camp, and fish. Her greatest joy was her family, spending time with them as much as possible. Jean is survived by her son, Mike Costle and his wife Debbie of Bozeman, MT. Grandchildren, Steven Costle and his wife Kristin, Meghan, Amy, and Lisa Costle, all of Bozeman. Brothers, Dave Nelson and his wife Cynde of Silesia, MT, and Dan Nelson and his wife Susan of Livingston, MT. Sister-in-law Bobbie Nelson of Great Falls, MT. Aunt Bernice Baker of Missoula, MT. Nieces, nephews, and many other relatives, and lifelong childhood friend, Dorothy (Tecca) Moore. Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Ray & Ethelyn Nelson; husband, Bill, who passed away in 1991; son, Bruce, who died in 1974 with Jeans brother Steve; and brother, Larry Nelson. Thank you to the staff at Birchwood and Rocky Mountain Hospice for their care and support. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.