Mary 'Lori' Delores (Bauer) LaVanway, 80
Mary “Lori” Delores (Bauer) LaVanway, 80, passed away on Feb. 8, 2017, at her home in Smith Valley with her husband Carroll by her side.
She was born Sept. 9, 1936, to Frank M. Bauer and Mary Lena (Jones) Bauer in Kalispell.
Lori was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and daughter. She loved fishing, hunting, and was an avid spectator of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sports and events. The two things she enjoyed the most were her family and playing contract rummy. Oh how she loved to play that card game!
She was raised in the Flathead Valley over her lifetime of 80 years, she milked cows, bucked bales, rode horses, and was in 4-H and Saddle Club, just to mention a few things.
She went to grade school at Batavia and Boorman schools and two years in Bremerton, Washington, during World War II. She received her high school diploma from Flathead County High School in 1954.
Lori married the love of her life, Carroll Wesley LaVanway, on Nov. 6, 1956, at the Smith Valley Grange. They celebrated their 60th anniversary last November at the Moose Lodge in Evergreen.
Lori was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Mary Bauer, maternal grandparents Moses and Beatrice (Salois) Jones, paternal grandparents Fred and Fanny (McFadden) Bauer, numerous aunts, uncles, one niece, and her favorite horse Ranger.
Lori is survived by her husband, Carroll; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Debra LaVanway, Melodie and Norm Palin, and Kim and Tony Hagadone, all of Kalispell; 11 grandchildren, Carroll, Wesley, Carisa, Michael, Tali, Angie, Melissa, Brailey, Josie, Travis, and Kaitlin, along with their spouses, all living in the Flathead Valley; 25-plus great-grandchildren; three sisters, Frankie Bauer of Libby, Jackie Mattingly of Marion, and June Bauer of Kila; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She is greatly missed, and we love you, Mom!
To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.