Phylis Welthy Jesse Somers

Phylis Welthy Jesse Somers, 94, of Bozeman, Montana, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025, just days after her 94th birthday.

Born on January 31, 1931, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, to Martin and Martha Jesse, Phylis spent her formative years moving through various small towns across South Dakota and Wyoming before her family put down roots in Powell, Wyoming. After graduating from Powell High School, she attended the University of Wyoming, where she met the love of her life, Joe L. Somers.

Phylis began her professional life as a teacher in Clark, Wyoming. On June 14, 1952, she married Joe, and the couple moved to Helena, Montana. They welcomed their first son, Carl Martin, in 1955. Working alongside Joe in his land appraisal business, they relocated to Billings, where their second son, Bradley James, was born in 1957. Over the years, their family journey took them through Overland Park, Kansas, back to Billings, and finally settling in Helena in 1965.

After working as a legal secretary at the Veterans Administration in Fort Harrison, Phylis used her experience working with Joe to advance as an appraiser for the Loan Guaranty Office at Fort Harrison Veterans Administration. Following Joe's unexpected passing in 1977, she became the Veterans Administrations’ Loan Guaranty Officer, a role she would later hold in Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, California. Her exceptional leadership abilities led to her selection as an instructor for W.E. Deming's Total Quality Management program, where she trained the trainers in the western United States Veterans Administration. She was awarded the Pioneer Award for paving the way for women administrators and fought for equal pay for women. She was chosen for the Presidents’ Veterans Council to improve Veterans Affairs but chose to retire instead.

She was a leader and survivor, having had a stroke, breast cancer and heart attacks. She often quipped, “Old age ain’t for Sissies” and when asked how she was doing, she would reply “Pretty good for the shape I’m in!” 

Beyond her professional achievements, Phylis enjoyed life to its fullest. She was an occasional golfer who achieved a hole-in-one during her first game after retirement. She enjoyed playing cards, was an accomplished bridge player and shared her musical talents with the Charbonneau Singers, in Wilsonville Oregon. After returning to Montana in 2008, she remained an active member of her community at Aspen Pointe, serving on the resident's council and teaching bridge to fellow residents. 

Phylis's commitment to quality touched every aspect of her life, and she built lasting friendships in every community she called home. In her final years, she found particular joy in spending precious moments with her granddaughter and great-granddaughter.

She is survived by her sons Carl Martin and Bradley James, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Phylis was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joe, her parents Martin and Martha Jesse, and her sister Donna.

Her legacy of leadership, unwavering dedication to excellence, and warm heart will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Services will be held at  Forestvale Cemetery, Helena Montana on Feb 13th 2025 at 1:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Joe and Phylis Memorial Scholarship fund at Montana State University.

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