Montana’s second lady, Bette Bohlinger, was remembered in her funeral Mass Saturday as a woman who was generous and tenacious.

Bohlinger, 70, died Jan. 9 of acute leukemia. She was a long-time Billings business woman and wife of Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger. The couple was known for their dedication to family and service to community, including social justice issues.

The Rev. John Houlihan, who celebrated the funeral Mass, said Bohlinger had an attitude that was “absolutely positive, hope-filled, full of life.’’ Houlihan described Bohlinger as a “shining, radiant, magnificent lady.’’

Around 700 people attended the funeral at St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral. Mourners filled the seats, lined the walls and overflowed into the church’s baptismal area and vestibule. Dozens of bouquets filled the entryway of the church, most sent by friends, families and the agencies that felt close ties to the Bohlinger family. An array of photos showed Bohlinger as a child in a bonnet and throughout her life to the matriarch of a large, close-knit family.

The Bohlingers’ son, John, said it was a blessing for the family to see “such a packed church.’’

“I know she’d be honored by your presence here today,’’ her grandson, Nick, said.

Although the men’s voices cracked with emotion, they also spoke strongly of Bette Bohlinger and their memories of her elicited laughter from the crowd several times. So did Houlihan’s recollection of Bohlinger as a young single mother of four who knew of God’s way — in life and death — before she met John Bohlinger.

“And then, of course, Prince Charming came along,’’ the priest said to a round of laughter. “And she got to rejoice for the next 46 years.’’

The Bohlingers met in 1962, when Bette was out in Billings celebrating the end of a college semester. They wed the next year, Bohlinger adopted the older children and soon the couple had two more kids.

The couple ran the Bohlinger family’s women’s clothing store, Aileen’s, until selling it to two of their daughters in the 1990s. John Bohlinger, a Republican, was elected to the state House in 1992 and served in the House for six years. He was a state senator from 1999 until being elected lieutenant governor in 2004. He and Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer were the first bipartisan ticket in Montana’s history.

Bette Bohlinger was diagnosed with leukemia in December 2004. The disease went into remission, but returned shortly before Christmas. She was on the list for a bone marrow transplant, but no match was found. When John Bohlinger was 14, his father died of leukemia.

Just days before her final hospitalization and death, Bette Bohlinger was in the public eye, as dozens lined up at the Capitol to have their blood tested as a possible match.

A string quartet played before Bohlinger’s funeral, which started with Ave Maria sung by Doug Nagel, artistic director of the Rimrock Opera Company, whose voice reverberated through the high-ceilinged cathedral.

A memorial service will be held next week in Helena.