Tina Marie Beltz

Tina Marie Beltz, 32, of Belgrade, Mont., died Aug. 31, 2011.

Tina was born in Anchorage on June 19, 1979, to Thomas Beltz Jr. and Judith Koonooka. She moved to Montana three years ago and was attending Montana State University, where she was pursuing a degree in health and enhancement.

Tina was very spiritually in tune and connected to nature. Her passion for the outdoors was expressed through her love for hockey, snowboarding and fly-fishing. She learned to play hockey by tagging along to games with her older brother, Tom, and his friends. She continued to play in an adult league in Bozeman, where she coached a girls’ team as well.

While she lived in Alaska, Tina worked for Arc of Anchorage, where her compassion for others was shown through her work with people who experienced disabilities. This compassion is what brought her very large family together where she was always the life of the party.

Tina moved to Montana in 2008 and fell in love with it and all of the adventures it provided.

Preceding her in death was her paternal grandmother, Ruth Sellers; maternal grandmother, Ilene Koonooka; and her uncle, Bob Sellers.

Surviving are her parents, Thomas Jr. and Judith Beltz of Wasilla; brothers, Thomas (Abby) Beltz of Anchorage and Jack of Wasilla; sister, Johanna Koonooka of Gamble; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; her fiancée, Lisa Baker of Belgrade, Mont.; and all her friends she met along her journey whom she considered family.

A celebration of Tina’s life is at 2 p.m., Sept. 10 at the Covenant Church, 5201 Mayflower Lane, Wasilla.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tina’s name to the ASPCA, 520 8th Ave., Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at dahlcares.com.