Elizabeth ‘Tiz’ Maryann Duffner

Elizabeth ‘Tiz' MaryAnn Duffner died at home, surrounded by her family on January 14th, 2006. The cause of death was Cachexia.

Tiz was born in Denver, Colorado on August 9, 1923 to Anthony J. and Olga Reich Dunst, the oldest of seven children. She graduated from St. Francis DeSales Grade and High Schools and attended the University of Denver.

She met her future husband on January 28, 1933 in Denver when Lowell moved into her neighborhood. Tiz and Lowell were married at Scott's Airbase,

New Baden, Illinois when he was home on leave from the Navy on April 17, 1945. After Lowell finished his education they moved from Denver to Billings in December of 1946. She did shed a few tears at the move and considered Denver as home for many years.

Tiz was a wonderful wife and mother. Her family always came first. Yet she found time to be the librarian at St. Pius X School for thirty years as a dedicated volunteer. She was given special recognition for her many years of service when the library was named the Elizabeth ‘Tiz' Duffner Library. She was truly proud of her family when the "Duffner Family Scholarship Fund" was set up through BACET. Tiz was truly a "Giver."

When her children started leaving the nest, Tiz took up bridge, golf and bowling in earnest. She excelled in these efforts and was proud of the fact that she was the first woman to make a hole-in-one on the seventeenth hole at the Yellowstone Country Club. Tiz, Lowell and their "Special Friends" took many wonderful trips that included Hawaii, California, Arizona, Florida, Bermuda, London and of course playing golf at St. Andrews in Scotland.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, her children Jan (Ron) Kirk, Diane (Mike) Boyett of Billings and Stan (Becky) Duffner of Missoula. Her surviving brothers and sisters in Denver are Charles and Dell Dunst, Frank and Shirley Dunst, Alfred and Maureen Dunst, Rosemary Warner and Jeanette and Paul Moline. Her parents and sister, Margaret, preceded her in death.

Rosary services will be 7:30 P.M. Wednesday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. The Memorial Mass will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday at St. Pius X Church.

If desired, a memorial may be made to BACET, P.O. Box 31158, Billings, MT 59107 or to a charity of your choice.