Laverne I. (Dirkes) Keiper

Laverne I. Keiper, 89, formerly of Fairfield, Montana passed away Thursday; March 17, 2022 at her home in Helena after a battle with illness.

Laverne was born in Great Falls, Montana to George and Rose Dirkes on February 15, 1933.  She was raised in Fairfield and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1951.  She married Erich Keiper in Fairfield on September 23, 1951.  They moved to El Paso, Texas, where Eric was stationed with the US Air Force during the Korean Police Action.  During this time, she worked for the El Paso Water Department as a clerk. They returned to Fairfield, where they operated a grocery store, Keiper’s Thriftway, for twenty-four years.  After selling their store, she worked as a postal clerk at the Fairfield Post Office for seventeen years.  Retiring to spend winters in Arizona and summers in Helena, Montana.  She was a Charter Member of Grace Lutheran Church in Fairfield.

Laverne is survived by a daughter, Lynnel (Dave) Holcomb and  granddaughter, Sierra Holcomb of Pasadena, CA., a son Ken Keiper of Helena, MT., daughter-in-law Janine Keiper and grandson Kurt Keiper of Missoula, MT., Nephews Greg, Bart and Rick Crabtree and a niece Janel Barr.

Laverne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of nearly 50 years, Erich, in 2001. A son, Dean Keiper, in 2003 and her sister Lois Crabtree in November 2021.

As per her request, graveside service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Fairfield at 10:00 am on Saturday; March 27, 2022. A visitation will be held Friday; March 25, 2022 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. “Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Condolences may be left online at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome .com

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