LaVeta C. Irion passed away on September 19, 2012 at her home on the Irion ranch at Olive.
LaVeta was born August 24, 1931 in Miles City, the daughter of Ray Ramer and Ruth Hudson Ramer. She spent her youth in the Miles City and Volborg area, spending lots of time with her brother Johnny and sister Alice at the Ramer Ranch riding horses and growing up careless and free. She met and married Roy Irion on June 26, 1949 in Miles City wearing her Grandmother Susan Ramer’s wedding dress from 1898. Both her daughter and granddaughter would one day wear the same dress. The newlyweds moved to the Ramer ranch where their first two children were born, Judy Raye and Clark Dale (Corky). In 1951 they bought the Jim Phillips ranch on the Home Creek Divide near Ashland. Their daughter Laura Lee and son Russell Dean (Rusty) were born while they lived there. In 1957 they leased the Otis Carter place on the Mizpah and farmed and ranched there. LaVeta worked outside along with her husband and kids while keeping a nice home and garden and sewed most of the family’s clothes. She could make cookies and candies like no one else, would can hundreds of jars of produce, arrange the flowers that she grew, and all the while would help her neighbors with anything they might need. She never did anything on a small scale. In 1969 they moved to Belle Creek where she became a catalyst in the newly forming town and published its first newspaper. It was during this time that LaVeta became a Landman. She did title research and leasing which turned into a career that spanned many years and several states. It was a very rewarding time for her.
LaVeta was a woman who could do just about anything. She was an expert seamstress and made hundreds of beautiful gowns and clothing for all ages. She created dozens of Centennial Dresses in 1989 and later started her own Clothing Company Powder River Clothing. LaVeta never used the word can’t and believed that if anyone could do it, she surely could too. She passed this philosophy on to her children and grandchildren. She shared her amazing talents with everyone who needed anything, including her sewing, cooking, or canning. She was so proud of her Irish heritage and her family. During the 1980’s she lived and worked in the Red Lodge and Edgar area and helped organize cattle drives and Centennial activities. She never met a stranger and loved to visit and learn new things. LaVeta loved shopping, collecting, fashion, a good book, kids, cooking, technology, and being a Republican! She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Broadus. In 1994 she returned to the ranch at Olive. She began working on her passion for Genealogy and compiled volumes of research on all of the families’ histories. This led to one of her greatest accomplishments, the publishing of the book “Beyond Echoing Footsteps”, a compilation of local history finished in time for the Centennial of Broadus in 2010. This nearly 1000 page book is part of her lasting legacy to the community she loved so much. She was Grand Marshall of the Centennial Parade. LaVeta also collected and catalogued all of the obituaries from the area and donated the collection to the Museum in Broadus. The Vintage Clothing Collection that she started was also donated to the museum. Whether she was your wedding planner, your seamstress, your 4-H leader, your mentor, historian, Sunday School teacher, friend or neighbor, she was generous to a fault.
LaVeta is survived by her three children, Corky and his wife Karlys of Cave Creek AZ, Laura Lee and her husband Victor Ullrich of Broadus, and Rusty of Miles City. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Scott Irion, Carly Todd (Colter) of AZ, Amy Minow (Tom) of Olive, Dr. Jennifer
Mattingley (Rob) of WI, Doug Ullrich (Laura) of AZ, Ashley Irion and Kelly Irion of Miles City and Cady Irion of Billings. She also leaves 9 great grandchildren whom she adored: Miranda and Kyle Minow; Taylor, Leah and Hudson Mattingley; and Madilyn, Colter Lee, and Traven Todd; and Eleanor Ullrich. She is also survived by her brother Johnny Ray Ramer (Anna Maria) and her brother in law Kenneth Preston, and sister in law Mary Irion Smith, an aunt Jeanne Davis as well as many nieces and nephews. LaVeta was preceded in death by her mother and father, her daughter Judy Raye, her husband Roy Irion, her grandson Marty Carl Irion, and a sister Alice Dexter. She lived a full and abundant life filled with a firm faith in God and a strong sense of family. She will be missed by many. Anyone who knew mom knew that she did it “her way”.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 28, 2012 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Interment will follow on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Broadus is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday September 28, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday September 29, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Graveside Service
3:00 pm
Saturday September 29, 2012
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday September 28, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday September 29, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Graveside Service
3:00 pm
Saturday September 29, 2012
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Diane & Mike Metzenberg says
We are very sorry for the loss of your Mother. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Eva Mae Foote says
My Condolences,I will miss her much,enjoyed her at HLC and listening to her stories growing up and her children. Gods peace be with you,Eva
Joe & Cathy Donnelly says
Our prayers are with all the families at the loss of your mother. She was a keeper.
Our families go back a long way (Barthelmess) and I will never forget us stopping at Corky’s in the middle of the night (gas station was closed) heading from Broadus to Miles City in what turned out to be false labor with our twins many years ago.
She certainly left a family to be proud of.
Sandra (Ramer) Absher says
I will always cherish my memories of my Aunt Laveta. May she rest in peace with our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ.
Joanna Ramer says
We will miss you Aunt Laveta. You taught me how to be an independent, strong woman at the age of 10. Then at the age of 30’some you reminded me to be proud of who I became and embrace life. Thank you for all your creativity and artistic ways. I love you, may you rest in peace.
Pam & Dave Nisley says
Corky, Laura Lee , Rusty and families,
We mourn with you, our world has lost a great treasure in your mother. There has never been a time that I did not know LaVeta, oh so many lives she has touched! We care, if there is anything we can do, please let us know.
Fran Oswald says
Sympathy and prayers for the familiy, in this time of loss and sorrow.
Lewis & Marla says
Corky Laura Lee Rusty and your families may God be with you thru this time. My first memory of your Mom was when we were in grade school at the Davidson school. She was always there to help everybody in any way she could such an awsome lady she will be missed.
DONNA WADDELL says
RUSTY & FAMILY,
MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU DURING YOUR TIME OF LOSS.
Aspen (Schoenbeck) Beall says
Thinking of all. sending lots of hugs
Deb Bartholomew says
Rusty and Family,
Sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with.
Sally Palaia says
Aunt Laveta you will live in my heart forever. I can not imagine a day will go by that you do not touch my soul. The best times of my life were spent on the phone with you and at the Ranch digging thru sewing patterns and stuff. I feel so blessed that you loved me. You lived for the Glory of God.
Lisa Gaskill says
We have been thinking of you and your family much in the last few days. May God grant you peace and help keep your wonderful memories alive.
Kimberlea Emmons says
Our family has been thinking of you and praying for you to find peace and strength in the coming days ahead. We pray that while your memories may bring a tear to your eye they also bring a smile to your face. God Bless. Brett, Kimber, Chi, ~Kenna~ and Cale
Sandy (Russif) Rabe says
My prayers are with your family. Powder River County and Broadus have lost a wonderful woman and Heaven has gained another Angel.
Sandy
Walt & Judy Marolf says
Rusty,
We are very sorry for the loss of your mother. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Darold & Sylvia says
Thinking of all of you during this painful time…your Mother, Grandmother was a very caring helpful lady. She always tickled me with her independence!..What a grand lady…leaving everyone with many memories.
Darold & Sylvia Zimmer
Mrs. Seu says
I am very sorry to read of your loss. May you find some comfort from God’s promise for a future time, after our loved ones are resurrected, found at Revelation 21:4 – “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
Patti Green Ireland says
I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your mom, grandma, great-grandma was an absolutely amazing woman. I’ve been reading through “Beyond Echoing Footsteps” page by page, enjoying it immensely. It was the crowning glory to a life well lived.
Cheryl Smutt says
Rusty and family
I am very sorry for your loss.
Bev Schaffer says
Laura Lee, Rusty, Corky and family, We are so sorry for the loss of your Mom. We pray that God will give you comfort, strength, and peace at this time of sorrow. May your wonderful memories of La Veta always be with you.
Linda and Howard Roose says
Laura Lee, Rusty, Corky and families. Our thoughts are with you. La Veta was one of our favorites and she will be missed. We have many good memories of you folks and hope to see you again someday.
Rodney and Marilyn Askin says
To all of the La Veta Irion Family: Our Deepest Sympathy and Prayers are with all of your family for your loss.. What an awesome Lady.. You all have so many great memories. Our thoughts will be with you in the coming days.. Rodney and Marilyn Askin
Judy Denson-Keller says
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to Corky, Laura Lee, Rusty, and their families. I remember La Veta always being there for the kids at school functions. I remember her being a history buff and numerous articles in various in which she was involved. Powder River County lost a number of wonderful people in the last 16 months. She was one of them. May God give you strength and comfort you in the coming days. God Bless and hugs to all of you.
Betty (Glen) Kiser says
To all of the LaVeta Iron Family, My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to her family.
My late husband Glen, always spoke fondly of LaVeta.
Teresa Geib Klein Bacon says
Semding our condolences, thoughts, and prayers, Teresa, and Elaine Rumph Geib {Mom}
May the Lord Bless you in this time of saddness.
Bill and Dina Gay says
Thinking of you at this difficult time. Sending our love and prayers.