Jean Ora Cathey Hough passed away at her home in Broadus on October 24, 2020. She was born February 24, 1929, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the third of ten children of Gerald and Ursula Beilage Cathey.

The Cathey's were sheep ranchers from Carter County, Montana. In the early 1930s, due to drought conditions, the family moved to Belle Fourche where Jean attended first and second grade. In 1936, improved conditions allowed the family to return to the Carter County ranch. While living at her family's ranch, she spent several summers in a sheep wagon with her dog and horse.

Jean completed her elementary schooling in country schools. In 1943, Jean's father Gerald suffered a fatal heart attack. That same year, she entered high school in Broadus, Montana boarding with the family of Angelina Preston whose daughter Mary became one of Jean's lifelong friends.

She graduated in 1947 and in June of that year married McCulla "Cap" Hough, a returning World War II veteran. Cap was a mechanic and went to work for Bogner Brothers Chevrolet Dealership, and Jean became deputy County Treasurer under Helen Y. Irion, Treasurer. When Helen's term ended, Cap and Jean decided to go to California seeking employment. On a visit home, Jean was alarmed at the lack of consistent schooling and care of her younger siblings. She and Cap decided to return to Montana to provide them a stable and consistent living situation.

In the early 1950s, they decided to build a modern motel unit in Broadus, which became the C-J Motel. Later as seismograph and oil exploration activities continued in the county the business gradually expanded.

In 1960, Jean and Cap adopted a son, Stephen, and two years later a daughter, Andrea. Jean was musically gifted and was in demand to sing for funerals, weddings, and many community events. She also played with many different bands providing Saturday night dance music.

Cap died in 1974, and Jean continued to operate the motel and raise Stephen and Andrea. During this time, she applied for and was accepted by the Kellogg Leadership Development Program through which she enrolled in classes at Montana State University in Bozeman and visited communist China. She twice journeyed up the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico to the Minnesota locks on small scientific boats. She also took advantage of travel opportunities offered by Rocky Mountain College in Billings, taking Stephen and Andrea to Europe.

In the 1980s, she purchased the Quarter Horse Motel and began construction of the Dereck units which were attached to the existing C-J Motel. The business expanded with the Buckskin Motel and the White Buffalo Campground.

In the 1990s, she acquired the Ashton and Amelia Jones home and created the Judges Chambers Restaurant, which operated in Broadus until 2011. Featuring European chefs, it was often said to have "the best food in 2,000 miles." Along with son Steve she continued in operation of the family businesses.

In the spring of 2020, Jean was interviewed for the TV show, Our Montana, with Mike Penfold. In 2019 she was diagnosed with cancer. The treatment seemed to be going well until late 2020 when she lost the battle with cancer.

She is survived by son Stephen Held, daughter Andrea Hough Heyneman, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She enjoyed spending time with her family, her dogs, making music, and playing piano for the UCC church. She will be missed by all who knew her.

A visitation for Jean Hough will be held on Wednesday, November 4th, 2020, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus.

A private service will be held on Thursday, November 5th, 2020 beginning at 11:00 AM in the Congregational Church in Broadus for family and invited guests. Directly following, the public is invited to the graveside services at Valley View Cemetery.