Obituary: Lois Lavonne Henry
Lois Lavonne Henry
January 2, 1931 - October 12, 2023
Lois Lavonne Henry, 92, of Missoula, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at her home at Grizzly Peak from pancreatic cancer.
She was born on January 2, 1931, in Rapid City, South Dakota to Joesph and Clara Keough. She grew up in the Rapid City to Nemo area where her father worked for the forest service cutting trees. She went to school in Nemo and high school in Rapid City. After high school she went into the nursing program at St. John’s McNamara hospital where she earned her 3-year degree as a registered nurse.
On May 30, 1953, she married Otis V. Henry at the Evangelical Free Church in Rapid City, South Dakota. They lived in Rapid City until 1966 when they moved to Winslow, Arizona. They lived there until 1968 when they moved to Kalispell Montana. In 1998 they moved to Missoula, Montana to be closer to their new twin grandsons.
During their stay in the various cities Lois worked at the hospitals and doctor's offices when she could while raising 5 kids. Her career in the nursing field was very fulfilling for her to work in. Before moving to Missoula, Lois worked for the Flathead County Home Health department. After moving to Missoula, she volunteered at the Community Hospital (for over 20 years) until the Covid-19 pandemic happened. There she would help patients navigate to the various departments in the complex. She loved doing this because she was able to talk with so many different people and hear something about them. Mom never met a stranger, but somebody new to welcome into her circle of acquaintances.
Lois was involved in many different organizations when her children were growing up. She was a Boy Scout den leader for her 4 sons, a leader with Campfire Girls with her daughter. She was very active with the Sunday School program at Epworth United Methodist Church in Kalispell. Lois was a member of the Kalispell Lioness Club. She hosted many pinochle parties with her friends and enjoyed playing games with her kids when they started getting older. Lois and Otis were also part of a mixed bowling team that bowled every Sunday evening in Kalispell. They both won trophies that they displayed in their home for everybody to see.
Lois was very popular with the neighborhood kids who would come over to the Henry home to play with their kids because she would always offer them a Coke and some cookies.
She was preceded in death by her husband (Otis), Daughter (Sherilyn), son (Scott) and son (Kevin).
She is survived by her son Randy (Melissa) Henry of Power MT, daughter-in-law Jackie Henry of Eagle Point OR, son Rodney (Darci) Henry of Stevensville MT, daughter-in-law Tammy Henry of Spokane WA and daughter Teresa Manlove of Lolo MT and by 17 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Services will be November 3, 2023 at 10:00 am at the Western Montana Veterans Cemetery at 1911 Tower St., Missoula, MT 59804. Otis and Lois will be interned into the Veteran’s wall at this time. The Reverend Gordon Dexter from Faith Baptist Church will be officiating the service.
Arrangements are under the direction of Garden City Funeral Home, Missoula.