Laura Elizabeth Myers

Laura Elizabeth Lane Myers, 85, of Great Falls passed away Sunday, September 15, 2013 at Peace Hospice. Vigil services will be held Friday, September 20, 2013 at 7:00 pm at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 1:00 pm at St. Ann’s Cathedral with Reverend Oliver Doyle presiding. Arrangements are being handled under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. Laura was born on March 21, 1928 to John Cornelius Lane and Elizabeth Finnegan Lane. Laura attended elementary school at the one-room Lane School in Three Forks. She graduated from Holy Rosary Catholic School in Bozeman where she played basketball and was a vivacious cheerleader each of her high school years. She was the only girl raised with three brothers, Arnold, Tom, and Robert. Laura attended beauty school before her first marriage to Raymond Lawrence “Larry” Menard on November 13, 1946. Their only child, John, was born on October 30, 1947. Larry was killed in a car accident on November 11, 1947 in Gallatin County. Laura was working as a teller at Gallatin Trust & Savings Bank in Bozeman, where she met Verena “Vee” Myers who introduced her to her son, Lloyd Myers. Lloyd and Laura were married on February 20, 1949 in Bozeman. They had two girls, Victoria “Vickie” and Marla Ann. Lloyd adopted Laura’s son, John. Over their 64 years together, they lived in Bozeman, Helena, and Great Falls. An avid walker, Laura could be seen all over the northern section of Great Falls (she averaged three miles every day until her stroke in 2009) and was a contender in the “Ice Breaker” (Great Falls) for several years. She was often kidded about being the neighborhood “bag lady” as she met several “soon-to-be” friends by knocking on strangers’ doors and asking for a bag of some sort to protect her hair if she was caught out in the rain too far from home! Laura was also an enthusiastic Peak member for years and years! Laura truly enjoyed and cared about people. She was definitely one of those individuals who would be described as “never having met a stranger”. During her lifetime, she was a constant source of love, compassion, and encouragement. Not only to her family, relatives, and friends, but to anyone who needed her. Laura faithfully visited those confined to their homes or in the hospital, and did whatever she could to let them know that someone cared about them. Laura especially loved children. All of our neighborhood friends, classmates, etc. knew they were always welcome at our home and table. She was a whiz at remembering people and their relation/connection to other people (sometimes way, way back!) Laura was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Catholic Daughters, and the Ladies’ Ancient Order of Hibernians. During her term as the local LAOH President, Laura was delighted to meet the LAOH Irish President in Butte. Laura was very proud of her Irish ancestry. Many of you will recall the sign in her car “PARKING FOR IRISH GRANDMA’S ONLY!” and the month-long St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Laura was steadfast, loyal, compassionate, loving, and fun! Her memory will be sustained by her family, friends, and all those who experienced her wit, charm, inner beauty, and engaging smile. Laura is survived by her loving husband, Lloyd Myers and their children John Myers of Sula, MT, Vickie Hartney of Great Falls, and Marla (Paul) Martin-Gies of Lewistown. She adored her grandsons, Jay Martin and Travis Myers, and her great-grandchildren Octavian “Tavian” and Leisetta “Setty” Martin and Asher Myers. Laura is also survived by her two brothers, Arnold (Ginny) Lane of Plainfield, IL and Robert (Marietta) Lane of Three Forks. Laura was preceded in death by her parents; brother Tom; and sister-in-law Carol Ann Lane. As a member of St. Ann’s Parish, Laura participated in the Cathedral’s restoration process by eagerly volunteering to conduct tours and share her knowledge of the history of St. Ann’s. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Ann’s Cathedral Restoration Fund, 715 3rd Ave. N, Great Falls, MT, 59401. Honorary pallbearers will be her nephews, Kevin, John, Tom, Jim, Bill, Michael, and Brian Lane; grandsons Jay Martin and Travis Myers; and long-time friend Larry Merkel.