Lorene L. Keefe

Lorene L. Keefe, 102, of Billings, passed away Monday morning, July 25, 2016, at Valley Health Care Center. The daughter of James and Edith Laurie, Lorene was born in Dietz, Wyo., on Dec. 19, 1913.

As a young child, Lorene's family moved to Klein, where she graduated from high school. Following graduation, Lorene attended Eastern Montana College of Education, where she obtained her two-year teaching certificate and began her elementary education career teaching in a rural school near Pompeys Pillar. In 1959, she would again attend Eastern Montana College of Education to finish her four-year teaching degree and return to her elementary school education career in 1961 with the Billings Public School District. At age 65, Lorene retired from teaching after an additional 17 years.

In 1937, Lorene married Edwin H. Keefe and they celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in 1995 prior to Ed's death. Shortly after they married, Lorene left teaching and, in 1939, she and Ed gave birth to John E. Keefe, their only child. In addition to being an avid and active mom, Lorene was active in Junior Women's Club activities, Eastern Star, and played and loved both social and duplicate bridge. Following Ed's death, she traveled the world, including trips to Brazil, and ports of call in South America, Egypt and Israel, the Scandinavian countries and into Russia and finally a trip to the British Isles, including Scotland, to visit Glasgow where her father was born. Lorene was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Billings for nearly 70 years.

Lorene is survived by her loving son, John and his wife Carole J. Keefe of San Jose, Calif.; a granddaughter, Sally L. Keefe of Austin, Texas; a step-grandson, John L. Hall of Denver; and two great-grandsons, Jerry J. Deitz of Austin and Anthony K. Hoover of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Alice L. Moore of Absarokee; and her brother James Laurie of Billings.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Mountview Cemetery in Billings. Michelotti-Sawyers will be handling the funeral arrangements. Following the graveside service, a hosted lunch is planned at the Billings Elks Club on Lewis Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, any memorials may be directed to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 310 N. 27th St, Billings, MT 59101.