Jean Livesay, 86

“Gramma Jean” Livesay passed peacefully at home Jan. 22, 2016.

She was born March 27, 1929 to parents Art and Lulu Leger at their ranch home in Harding County, South Dakota. Her younger years were spent with six siblings enjoying ranch life. She attended a one room school to the 8th grade then attended high school in Belle Fourche and Buffalo, South Dakota.

On May 11, 1946, she married Norman Livesay, the love of her life. They lived at the South Dakota ranch for about 9 years and had 5 children. In 1956 they moved to Fortine. They loved the small community. Jean cooked at the Fortine Grade School, Crystal Lakes and cut Christmas trees. She made and decorated beautiful cakes, and was a town favorite for a quick and clean haircut. Jean was a longstanding member of the Home Demonstration Club and loved crafts, knitting, sewing and crocheting. She was a full time mom and “taxi”  for kids to school activities or anyone who needed a ride to Kalispell. She was always up for a good story and a laugh.

Jean and Norman shared 28 years together before Norman’s death in January of 1974.

She moved to Helena to work at Buttrey Food in 1975. She enjoyed 19 years of work and play with wonderful customers and coworkers! “Some of the best times of her life” she said. In retirement she volunteered at the Senior Center in Helena. She helped make quilts and teddy bears to donate to people in need and to the Friendship center for battered women. She also volunteered at The Florence Critt-enton Home for unwed mothers to rock babies. She moved to Kalispell in 2011, where her days were lifted by waving to neighborhood children and passersby.

She is preceded in death by two infant sons, Michael Ray and Norman Lance, husband, Norman, parents, Art and Lulu, and six siblings, Marjorie, Marion, Robert, Roberta, Thomas and Bill; brothers-in-law, Elgyn, Archie, Lyle and Maynard; numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.  

She is survived by three children, Bob and Susan Livesay, Karmel and Pat Duffy and Lori Livesay; bonus children, Shelley Mower, John and Donna Brown, Chuck and Lois Croucher, Dick and Alice Ivers; nine grandchildren, LeAnn and Eddie Risenhoover, Scott and Yvonne Rosaaen, Kerry and Christopher Kieres, Kasey Livesay, Paul and Jessica Livesay, Kara and Mikel Williams, Bree and Kevin Sandoval, Lesley and Darren Fix, Haily and Dylon Hoff; 22 wonderful great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and many dear friends.  

Thank you for showing us how to live a life full of love, kindness, compassion, strength and laughter and sharing how a simple smile and wave can touch many.  We are so blessed by all the lives you touched.

At Jean’s request there will be no funeral service but a celebration of life in her honor this summer in Fortine, date to be determined.