Lucille M. Mcknight Badura

Lucille McKnight Badura, 81, originally of Billings, passed away Monday, October 30, 2017, in Kennewick, Washington. The daughter of Lyle and Virginia Lathom, Lucille was born March 18, 1936, in Billings, Montana. She graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1954, and went on to Eastern Montana College to become a registered nurse. During her nursing career, she worked at Deaconess Hospital, for physicians in private practice, and ultimately retired from nursing after a long tenure at St. Vincent Hospital. Lucille loved her work in nursing, and was known for her compassion and gentleness, her winning smile, and her gift of providing comfort to those in need. She married Robert D. McKnight in 1956. He preceded her in death in 1985. She married James (Jim) Badura on Sept. 11, 1993, who passed away in 2009. Lucille was a 50-year member and Past Matron of the Billings Friendship Chapter #124 of the Eastern Star; she also served in other chapter and state offices, including as Grand Representative to Maine in Montana. She was a current member of the Daughters of the Nile of Bath Zabbia Temple. Lucille loved to knit, dance, travel, and spend time with her family. After she met Jim, Lucille and Jim spent much of their free time as members of the Yellowstone Billings Ballroom Dance Club, enjoying many hours of dancing and socializing. They loved to fish together, and spent many long summers at their second home in Forks, Washington. They were also involved in volunteer activities and were active in the Catholic Church. Survivors include her sons, Chuck (Mary) McKnight of Kingston, Washington, and Kent (Danelle Conway) McKnight of Gresham, Oregon; four stepchildren, James L. Badura, Jr. of Reno, Nev., Janet (John) Pulczinski of Bemidji, Minn., Julie (Jim) Miller of Sequim, Wash., and Jerry Badura of Great Falls; a sister, Ruth Ann (Phil) Saksa of Dearborn Heights, Michigan; 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and her brother, Jerry (Vina) Lathom of Tracy, California. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, November 10, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, followed by burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens. After the services, a light luncheon will be served at the Masonic Center at 11th and Broadwater. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, Billings Central, Rocky Mountain Hospice or the charity of your choice.