Joelle Lynn Keough

It is with heavy hearts the family of Joelle Lynn Keough, 44, announces her passing on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Billings.

Joelle was born on May 12, 1980, to Mary Ellen (Toocheck) and Gary Edward Keough in Thornton, Colorado. Joelle was raised in Colorado with her older sister, Elizabeth Ann, and younger brother, Matthew Edward, until 1991 when the family moved to Danville, Pennsylvania. Joelle graduated from Danville Area High School in 1998, where she played soccer, performed flute in the band, and had a large circle of close friends.

Joelle attended Penn State for a few semesters before moving to Crested Butte, Colorado, in May 2001 to pursue her interest in the outdoors. Joelle’s move to the Rocky Mountains inspired her sister and brother, and, for a time, all three Keough siblings lived together in the town of Mt. Crested Butte.

While living in the mountains, Joelle was an avid fisherwoman who also enjoyed mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, camping and hiking. She played softball in the town league, and she enjoyed trips to the desert in Moab, Utah, with friends.

In 2006, Joelle returned to Pennsylvania to pursue a degree in nursing from Redding Area Community College. While in Redding, Joelle spent time with her parents, her sister, her brother-in-law, Jason Weber, and her nephew, Dillon. Joelle doted on her young nephew during her time in Redding.

After completing her nursing degree in 2008, Joelle moved to Bozeman, Montana, to return to the Rocky Mountains and live closer to her brother and his family. While in Bozeman, Joelle practiced nursing and continued to pursue her interest in the outdoors, especially fly fishing, camping and hiking. She could often be found on the sidelines of soccer games, cheering on her niece, Gwyneth, and nephew, Vann.

In 2013, Joelle moved to Billings, Montana, where she welcomed her beautiful daughter, Lucy Mia Wong, on Oct. 20, 2015. Joelle was a loving and devoted mother with a great sense of humor — Joelle and Lucy shared this sense of humor and made each other laugh constantly. Joelle relished creative and fun cooking experiences with Lucy, and she was introducing Lucy to her passion for adventure and the outdoors through camping trips and teaching Lucy to ride a bike. Joelle and Lucy were also avid swimmers.

Most of all, her family will remember Joelle’s open, beautiful heart and her deep, caring soul – and, truly, her incredible and one-of-a-kind sense of humor and laugh. Once Joelle was laughing, everyone was laughing.

Joelle is survived by her daughter, Lucy Mia Wong; sister, Elizabeth (Jason) Weber; brother, Matthew (Cassandra) Keough; nephews, Dillon Amos Weber, Noah James Weber, Vann Fritz Keough; and niece, Gwyneth Marie Keough. Joelle was preceded in death by her parents, Gary and Mary Ellen Keough.

The family would like to extend gratitude to everyone for their love and support during this difficult time.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at Valley Bible Church in Billings (3603 O’Shea Circle, Billings, MT 59101), with a luncheon to follow. All are welcome, casual dress. For those coming in from out of town, a room block under Joelle’s name has been established at the C’mon Inn.

Lucy has requested flowers, which can be sent to Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Avenue, Billings, MT 59102, Tel: 1-406-252-3417, info@michelottisawyers.com.

The service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1042285540710780/