Yvonne LaRae Peck, 53

One of the world’s biggest, kindest, and most humble hearts has stopped beating. Yvonne LaRae Peck left our world on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015.

Yvonne was born in Chester on Sept. 5, 1962, to Tom and Delores Peck. Tom and Delores’s many years in education took Yvonne to several communities, including Hingham, Sunburst, Browning, Whitefish and Columbia Falls. Yvonne developed lifelong relationships and touched many lives in these communities.

She graduated from Whitefish High School where she was a member of the 1978 state championship basketball team. Yvonne earned a degree in math education from Montana State University.  She began her teaching career in Simms and then took her talents and passion for her chosen profession to Rangely, Colorado, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Alaska and Flathead Valley Community College. Her devotion and dedication were most evident in all her teaching and coaching experiences. She impacted countless young people in numerous meaningful ways, treating all with a “thundering velvet hand” while guiding their journeys in realizing their full potential. She easily and quickly identified the best in her students and athletes, but let them know if they weren’t giving their best. Miss Peck held dear the years-long and deep friendships often developed after her time as teacher and coach.

She was the most knowledgeable and accurate family historian and enthusiastically applied her photography skills at every family reunion to give the rest of us a crutch to try to keep up with her and preserve precious moments. She knew more about generations of relatives and complex family trees than anyone. Peck, Schweitzer, and Mangold bonds were all made stronger because of Von.

One of her greatest joys was her role as “Aunt Von” to nieces and nephews and later “Grantie” to great nieces and a nephew. She put on thousands of miles to attend their activities and gave selflessly to make memories never to be forgotten. Always, in good times and the most difficult, she was the first one to give a great big Von hug. Her “one-of-a-kind” kisses, boisterous laughter, baked bread, salsa and canned peaches will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her father, Tom. She is survived by her mother, Delores, to whom she provided heartfelt friendship, comfort, and care; sisters Michelle, Starla (Monte Solberg), Patty (Scott Daugharty) and brother, Thom. Her nieces and nephews, Jamie Nordhagen(Chad), Ty Solberg (Sienna), Scot Solberg(Chelsea), children of Starla and Monte; Conor Daugharty and Kaitlyn Daugharty, children of Patty and Scott; Taylor Peck and Kylie Peck, children of Thom;  and her great nieces and nephews, Lola Nordhagen, Mira and Jett Solberg, and Emma, Shayla, and Tatum Solberg.

A public viewing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, at Columbia Mortuary with sharing of stories starting at 6 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.