LaVonne Rose Childers

LaVonne Rose Childers passed away on July 14th, 2022, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s with her husband and family by her side.  LaVonne was born in Fargo, ND on August 18th, 1941, to Ethel P Larsen and Alton R Larsen.  

LaVonne was raised in Sabin, MN and graduated from Moorhead State College High School in 1959.  She married her high school sweetheart Keith Clifton Kirkhorn on July 11th, 1959.  They were married for 30 years and raised their two children in Great Falls, MT.  

LaVonne started to work for First National Bank of Great Falls (US Bank of Great Falls) in 1968 as a teller where she then worked her way up to Vice President.  She retired after 25 years.  She was a very involved member of the Business & Professional Women’s Organization and the Chamber of Commerce in Great Falls for many years.

LaVonne was a great mother and supported her kids in many ways.  Never missing a high school football game, floating the Smith with family, teaching them to play cards, pizza every Friday at Howards and raising them to be hardworking and respectful adults.  As a grandma she never forgot a birthday and was always willing to make pancakes.

After she retired, she married Terry Childers in 1993.  They lived in Spokane, WA; Cheney, WA; Germany and finally settled in Fairfield, MT in 2004.  They would winter Green Valley, AZ.  They traveled a great deal in the United States and Europe.  She and Terry loved to golf, go boating and would travel all over going to professional football games, concerts, watching the Gonzaga games and just seeing the countryside.  She loved playing the poker machines and usually won.  Her other hobbies were making jewelry and crafting with her mom.  She always enjoyed going places in the Cherokee with her two favorite pilots Terry and Brian.

Survivors include her husband Terry Childers of Fairfield, MT, son Brian (Darcy) Kirkhorn of Fairfield, MT and daughter Stacey (Steve) Dykeman of Polson, MT. Grandchildren: Danielle (John) Retan, Michelle (Bill) Dess, Brianne (Clay) Bott, Kaylie (Russ) Aldrich and Lyneah (Ryan) Nelson.  Great grandchildren: Landon & Ali Retan, Grady, Liam and Declan Dess, Corbin Bott, Braiden and Catelyn Tschida, Emma and Makenna Aldrich, and Thea Nelson.

Her stepchildren: Jim and Jackie Childers of Los Gatos, California, Terry and Laurie Childers of Milton-Freewater, OR and Lance and Teresa Wright of Tampa, FL along with 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. 

Siblings: Lynn Newman, Sandee Straight, Janice Sauer, Lori Wyatt, Linda Webber. Gary Larsen, Ron Leeson, Jerry Leeson. 

A memorial service is planned for Thursday August 18th at 4:00 P.M. Faith Bible Church 451 7th St. N., Fairfield, MT.

Condolences may be left on-line at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com

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