Charlotte Fern Reighard 1931-2021
Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother passed away July 4, 2021 at Elkhorn Care and Rehabilitation in Clancy, Montana. Fern was born April 24, 1931 in Butte, Montana, the daughter of Alice (John Crary) and Vivian Davis. Her father died in a mining accident when she was just a little girl. She had 2 sisters Georgia (Don) Briggeman and JoAnn (Sam) Whitcomb. Fern graduated in 1950 from Powell County High School and worked for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph until marrying Louis “Dale” Reighard on May 26, 1951. She then went to work cooking for the Milwaukee Bridge and Building crew, traveling throughout Montana, wherever Dale was working. When the family started to expand, Fern and Dale made their permanent home in Deer Lodge, with Dale traveling with the railroad, only coming home on the weekends. Fern was a devoted homemaker to 7 children and numerous foster children. In her later years, after the kids started school, she went to work at Powell County Memorial Hospital, first in the kitchen then in the laundry, retiring in the late 1980’s.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband and soul-mate Dale, 2 sons, Kim and Tracy, and sisters Georgia and JoAnn and brother-in-law Sam.
Survivors include 4 sons and 1 daughter, Mark (Kari) Reighard of Deer Lodge, Amy (George) Irwin of Fernley, Nevada, John (Connie) Reighard of Helena, Chris (Pam) Reighard of Deer Lodge, and Eric (KaRena) Reighard of Helena. Fern had 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, with another due any day now. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Don Briggeman and many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews and foster children.
A grave side service will be held on August 7th at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery, W. Milwaukee Ave. Deer Lodge. A B-B-Q will follow at the home of Mark & Kari Reighard, 826 College Ave. in Deer Lodge.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday August 7, 2021
Hillcrst Cemetery
W. Milwaukee Ave
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Saturday August 7, 2021
Mark & Kari Reighard's home
826 College Ave
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
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Tricia Sahinen McGurran says
Reighard family,
I am sorry to read of your mother’s passing. I don’t know your family personally, however, I believe I am your cousin. We all have the same grandfather, Vivian Davis. My Dad was James Lynn Davis (Sahinen). You are in my thoughts and prayers! God bless.
Pete & Cheryl Birrer says
So sorry that Fern passed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.