Larry Joe Hilton

Larry Joe Hilton, 73, of Great Falls, passed away peacefully at the Renaissance Care Center on Thursday, December 12, 2024, surrounded by family.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, followed by the vigil at 6:00 p.m., both at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. A funeral liturgy will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Larry was born to Everett Edwin and Margery Lorraine Hilton on October 19, 1951, at St. Ignatius. He grew up on the family farm in the shadow of the iconic Mission Mountain Range. He attended Montana State University in Bozeman where he received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture.

He met the love of his life, LuAnn, through a mutual friend and a love of bowling. After a courtship, LuAnn and Larry were married on June 23, 1984, at Our Lady of Lourdes with the reception at the Knights of Columbus.

Family meant everything to Larry. When he wasn’t working a series of jobs to support his family, he was a devoted father and man of faith. Larry was an involved parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Knights of Columbus. Larry and LuAnn recently were honored with the Appreciation Award from Our Lady of Lourdes school in February of 2021.

When Larry wasn’t working, he was off on family adventures. Whether following his son around the state for football adventures, partaking in the family golf tourney, exploring the fairground and exhibits, and road tripping around the beautiful state of Montana. In later years, he loved strenuous walks being pulled down the street by his puppy, Rosie.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Margery; brother, Jim; and nephew, Tyler. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, LuAnn; son, Russell (Christine); daughter, Kimberly (Kolby) Manderle; grandchildren, Lily Manderle, Julia Hilton, Camille Manderle, James Hilton, and Elliot Manderle; brothers and sisters, Evelyn, Marilyn, Dave, and Kenny; and BFF, Rosie, golden doodle puppy.