Lavone G. Johnson
Florence – Lavone G. Johnson passed away at home surrounded by her family on Monday, April 30, 2012 of natural causes. She would have celebrated her 90th birthday on May 15th. Born in Scranton, ND in 1922 to Jess and Flora Anderson. She was raised on the family farm near Haley. The family moved to Buffalo, SD where she attended and graduated from high school. In 1941 she married her first husband Wayne Laisy (Kalispell). They began their family in Buffalo and later moved to Glendive. In 1963 they settled in Missoula with their children. In
1980 she married Richard H. Johnson, D.D.S., and later they made their home in Florence to enjoy the spacious views of the Bitterroot Mountains.
Homemaking was a special joy for Lavone. She loved to entertain, and was always happy to have company for dinner. Making sure her guests were at ease and well-fed was of great importance to her. She became a wallpaper expert, changing the paper of every room in the house with her husband Dick. She enjoyed league bowling, ballroom dancing, home-canning, baking, and travelling with her husband, including a trip to Germany and a cruise to Ensenada, Mexico.
Lavone enjoyed singing in the choir at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Florence. She joined her husband in Masonic organizations in which they had many dear friends. She was a member of The Daughters of the Nile.
During her career, she worked as a bookkeeper, a CNA at St. Patrick Hospital, and 17 years as a dental assistant with David Tawney, D.D.S. After retiring for one year, she returned to work as a dental assistant with her husband Dr. Johnson.
Lavone is survived by her husband Richard of Florence; eldest son Paul Laisy (Shirley) of Polson, and son Scott Laisy of Missoula; longtime family friend, Steven Chord of Missoula; two stepchildren, Wendy (Rob) Kaegy, and Kris Johnson, and grandchildren Lee Ann
(Russ) Schmelebeck, Lynette (Ted) Smith, Doug Laisy, and David Laisy. She also is survived by 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brothers Bud Anderson, Clifford Anderson, sister Loretta Mort, daughter Patricia Laisy, and stepson Stuart Johnson.
Cremation arrangements are being handled by Whitesitt Funeral Home, Stevensville. A memorial mass was held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Florence on Friday, May 4 with a reception following. Burial was at Dawson Memorial Cemetery, Glendive, MT.
Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.whitsittfuneralhom.com
Julie Wallace
Stevensville – Julie Wallace, 88, of Stevensville passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2012 at The Springs in Missoula, of natural causes.
She was born June 30, 1923 in Salt Lake City to Harry and Edna Stavros, and was the oldest of five children. As a young girl she and her family moved to Idaho Falls, where they owned and ran a grocery store. She attended school in Idaho Falls where she was active in choir, her schoolwork,
and working at the family store. After graduating in 1941, she attended Idaho State University in Pocatello. Upon completion, she worked at Rogers Brothers as an Executive Assistant until she was married.
On June 20, 1948 she married Don Wallace at the United Trinity Methodist Church in Idaho Falls. The couple lived outside of Pocatello on a farm they owned until they moved to Stevensville in 1956. They bought and operated a ranch on the Sunset Bench, later expanding with the purchase of the Barrett Ranch in the South Burnt Fork.
Julie was active in many things in the community, most at the same time. She was a lifetime member and past worthy matron of the Order of Eastern Star multiple times, life time member in Grange including State Lecturer, and 55 year member of the Stevensville Methodist Church. In addition, she was the Secretary for the Sunset Ditch Irrigation Company for over 40 years, she
was a teacher’s aide for the Stevensville Schools for 8 years, worked for Dr. Spencer for 15 years, worked at the Fort Owen Inn over 15 years, she was typist for the Stevensville Police Department for many years, was a member of the Stevensville Town Council for 12 years, and was Stevensville Citizen of the Year in 1998.
She enjoyed singing, baking, sewing, quilting, playing pinochle, her garden and flowers, watching golf and engaging in her church community. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and was very proud of her children and grandchildren. She sang for hundreds of funerals and weddings through the years and was happiest when she was active and helping others.
A beloved and dear one, Julie made a positive difference in the people she touched. She took great and caring pleasure in her family, her singing, and her church community, and in making a difference. A humble person, she always focused on helping others. She was a wonderful mother, who led by example and provided inspiration to others.
Her husband, Don Wallace, preceded Julie in death. Survivors include her daughter, Sue Ann (Joe) McKay of Florence; her son, Greg (Kirsten) Wallace of Vancouver, WA; a brother, Leo Stavros of Haley ID; a brother, Pete Stavros of St. George UT; and a sister, Elaine Poulter of Idaho Falls ID; four grandchildren: Megan (David) Slick, Bend OR, Matthew McKay, Iowa City IA, Kara Wallace, Seattle WA, and Alisa Wallace, Tacoma WA; and a great grandson, Simon Slick, and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held on Saturday, May 5 at the Stevensville Methodist Church. The Rev. Connie Sidebottom and Rev. Nancy Slabaugh Hart officiated. Private burial services followed immediately at the Riverview Cemetery in Stevensville. A reception at the Methodist Church followed the private burial services.
The family suggests memorials to the Loaves & Fishes Fund in care of the United Methodist Church, 216 College Street, Stevensville MT 59870.
Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com