LaVerne was born in Helena, Montana on December 15, 1920, the daughter of Walter Warren and Margaret McElhaney. She married Alfred Beck on October 27, 1941. This marriage was blessed with two daughters, Trudy and Julie. She later married Grant Spear and two step-daughters, Sally and Sue, joined the family.
LaVerne was part of an early day pioneer family in the Helena Valley. The Pioneer Cabin in Last Chance Gulch was her grandparents home and still remains as a landmark in historic Helena. LaVerne lost her mother at an early age and spent many years with her sisters in an orphanage. She began working at the young age of 12 as a housemaid in the home of Judge Stewart in Helena.
LaVerne was adventurous and some of her most memorable experiences included travel throughout Mexico, Ireland, and Alaska. In her later years, she returned to her hometown of Helena where she coordinated the Mended Hearts program at St. Peters Hospital and renewed old friendships. In 2005, LaVerne moved to the Eagles Manor in Miles City where she met many dear friends. She most recently lived at the Extended Care Unit at Holy Rosary Hospital and felt tremendously blessed to have such excellent care and good friendships.
LaVerne had a love of learning her entire life. She attended Montana State College in Bozeman and worked as an accountant for Kaiser Permanente in Montana and Oakland, California; finishing her work career in Seattle coordinating supplies for Alaska construction companies. She was a handwriting analyst and a licensed Master Graphologist which was a logical extension of her love for mystery stories.
LaVerne was a wonderful cook and seamstress. She spent twenty years as a 4-H leader teaching her daughters and others to appreciate life skills. LaVerne made friends wherever she went and always took notice of the needs of others. She deeply loved her family and had a unique way of making each one of them feel special in her life. LaVerne had an exceptionally close bond with both of her daughters, Trudy and Julie, and she will be greatly missed in their daily lives. Her courage and determination were an inspiration to all who knew her. LaVerne was loved by many and was an incredibly classy lady!
She is survived by her two daughters: Trudy (Harry) Angel of Seattle, WA and Julie (Butch) Krutzfeldt of Miles City; two step-daughters: Sally (Bill) Bauer of Leavenworth, WA and Sue (Gary) Marchioro of Salem, OR; a sister Dorothy McEnaney of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren Janette (Corey) Jone's; Steve (Julie) Krutzfeldt; Jeanie (Andrew) Kalotay; Tyler (Pamela) Krutzfeldt; Carrie (Jon) David; Jeff (Sandra) Marchioro; Cindy Marchioro; and thirteen great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2012 with the family receiving friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 27, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
tara stenseng says
Lavern was such a wonderful lady and leaves a big hole that will be hard to fill my thoughts are with the family. i am glad to have met her and be able to look back at such wonderful memories!!
Sherri Schneidt says
So sorry for your loss Julie. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Nancy & Owen McDonagh says
Julie, Butch and family – So sorry to hear your mom passed on Julie. Sending our love and prayers.
Love and prayers,
Owen and Nancy McDonagh
Mike Schmitz says
Julie,sorry to hear of your moms passing. She was a classy lady. Sounded like she lived a full life,how wonderful. I hope her memory will sustain you. Take good care. Mike.
Margaret Tryon says
What a wonderful lady. I am sure she will be truly missed by all who knew her. Julie and Trudy you and your families are in my prayers. Margaret
REBECCA BASS says
I KNOW THERE IS MUCH REJOICING IN HEAVEN, SHE WAS A DEFINTE BELIEVER, I ENJOYED EVERYTIME I GOT TO VISIT WITH HER, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PERSON, THANKS, I ‘AM ESPECIALLY THANKFUL, THAT SHE KNEW MY MOM & DAD AND FATHERINLAW, SHE WAS A DELIGHT. PRAYING FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY, AND WE DO KNOW SHE IS REJOICING!!!!!
Karen Munson says
Julie & family. Thinking of you — my prayers are with all of you. Laverne was always welcoming to me — especially in high school when we wacky girls spent the night and were VERY loud. She and I had the graphoanalysis in common. She was a nice lady. Love, Karen
Terry bass says
Wonderful lady!!!! Kept me on my toes!!! I know that Heaven is probably experiencing an immediate upgrade. To know her was to love her. God bless.
Terry Bass
Helena
Butch and Cathe Smith says
She truly was a “classy lady” and I will miss her greatly. I was glad to have the privlege to have known her. Cathe Smith
Susan Brewer Andersen and Linda Brewer Collier says
Was so sorry to read in our paper here in Helena about your mom’s passing. It is never an easy for us. Linda and I will both be thinking about you.
Mary Kings Grube says
Julie:
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful mom. My prayers go out to you and your family. May the memories you carrie with you sustain you through this time.
Penney Eathorne Sey says
Dear Trudy, Julie and families:
I was saddened to hear of the news in losing your Mom. I’ll always remember her as a very classy lady with a great sense of humor and always that “twinkle” in her eye. She welcomed me into your family as if I were one of the family.
Many, many happy times were spent in your home. I hope you will find comfort in those happy memories.
Love, Penney Eathorne Sey
Sandy Pearcy says
Julie, I just heard of your tragic loss. Your mom was SUCH a classy lady, just like her daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Connie Schaefer says
Julie and Trudy, We were so fortunate to know your mom. Mom will miss her greatly, but she has some good memories with your mom. Know you are all in our prayers at this time. She was just a very classy lady. Connie Schaefer
Kim Stanton says
Dear Julie and Family,
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your dear mother. She certainly was a grand lady and led an amazing life. We are keeping you all close in thought and prayer as you celebrate her life and yet mourn her loss.
May the Holy Spirit, the Divine Comforter, bring you all peace and great comfort.
With loving sympathy,
Dan, Kim, Kasey, and Kyle Stanton
Pinky & Ella Mae Pelletier says
Dennis and Carol (Beaver) Dean says
Dearest Trudy and Julie and families , I was sad to hear of the passing of your Mom . For sure she is “one classy lady” and will be miss my all of us .Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers . I can just see your Mom and mine rejoicing in seeing each other once again with our Lord Jesus .
Loann Oyen says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. It is so sad to loose ones mom/grandma. We pray that the wonderful comfort and peace of the Lord will be with you at this time.
Patty Washington says
I will miss LaVerne. She is a beautiful spirit.
Marla A says
I received a copy of Janettes elegant tribute to her beloved grandmother Laverne in the mail this afternoon and felt compelled to offer my condolences in the memory of LaVerne Spear. I recall the first time that I met LaVerne that she had a special twinkle in her eye, one might glean that she held the secrets of profound wisdom and pure acceptance, a woman who clearly walked the walk of her faith – Along with LaVerne’s gift of strength class beauty and fun, LaVerne was a woman one only needed to meet on one occasion to never quite forget. How blessed her children grandchildren and great grandchildren are to have experienced the teachings of LaVerne’s spiritual acumen, her common sense, her elegance and LaVernes ability to navigate through life effortlessly with dignity and purpose..LaVerne might very well be remembered as one of the very grand women of an era gone by, however, there is little doubt that her wisdom will forever be reflected throughout the generations passed on by those whom were touched by the magic of LaVerne Spear. LaVerne thank you for giving my uncle the most beloved mother in law any one could ever dream of….may you soar with the angels in heaven, as you have lived your life as one of Gods angels right here on earth…
Marla A.