Lavonne Simac Hohn (Mugsy, Pug Mahone, Grandma Verdi, Grandma), 77, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at home with family at her side on December 11, 2016.
She was born on January 30, 1939 to Clara and Russell Brown in Beach, North Dakota. She grew up in Sentinel Butte, North Dakota with 4 brothers, Wayne, Larry, Allen, Jim and 1 sister, Shirley Ann. She graduated from High School in Beach ND.
Shortly after high school, she met and married John Simac. John was building highways across Montana so they moved around frequently before settling in East Helena in 1968. Lavonne had her hands full with the farm and 5 (well behaved) children. After the kids were grown, Lavonne and John’s lives took separate paths, but remained good friends throughout her life. She later married Bill Hohn and they enjoyed life together until his passing last year.
She tried several occupations after the kids were grown and was a very successful at every endeavor. She was a flagger for highway construction, worked for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks as the Caretaker at Spring Meadow Lake, and then assumed her final position as the Manager (she thought she was the Owner) of Jackson Creek Saloon. This is where she became affectionately known as “Grandma” and began the Christmas for Kids Auction that benefited local youth for years. Her generosity was well known and felt by all who knew her.
After the tragic loss of her oldest daughter, Donna, she became a pioneer for victim’s rights in Montana. She testified for victim’s rights in several Legislative sessions. She traveled the state and did numerous talks to the pre-release center/boot camp inmates on how crime impacts not only victims, but their loved ones as well. She was one of the strongest people that you could ever meet.
She enjoyed travelling, spending time with her family, snuggling with her 4 legged companion, Rudy, and watching her game shows. She was even known to frequent a casino from time to time.
Lavonne was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Wayne and Larry; her sister Shirley Ann; her daughter, Donna Meagher; her son, Darwin Simac; and her granddaughter Keely Mulcahy.
Lavonne is survived by three children: David Simac and his wife Chris, Dennis Simac and his wife Teresa, Debbie Mulcahy and her husband Mark; son-in-law Karl Meagher; 15 grandchildren, Ashley (Todd) Bachmeier; Whitney Simac and her fiancé Aaron, Dylan Simac, Rachelle (Mike) Wagner, Janelle Meagher (Troy); Dustin Simac, Dalton Simac, Nicole Simac, Chelsea (Randy) Roberts, Tyson Simac, Karlee Simac, Paxson Simac, Kasey Mulcahy, Katelyn Mulcahy, and Kyle Mulcahy; and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers, Jim and Allen, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at noon with the family to receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 15th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A continued celebration of Lavonne’s life will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Chubbys Bar and Grill in Clancy. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to East Helena Tiger Fund, Attention: Kim, P.O. Box 1280, East Helena, MT 59635. Please visit below to offer a condolence to her family or to share a memory of Lavonne.
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 pm
Thursday December 15, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke funeral home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Family Receiving Friends
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Thursday December 15, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 pm
Thursday December 15, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke funeral home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Family Receiving Friends
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Thursday December 15, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
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Staci Gleich says
Gramma I will miss you! I loved our long nights of laughing when I bartended at Jackson creek! ❤️
Kathy & Bob Morrison says
Always a dear – met her at Jackson Creek .
Mike and Diana says
Mike and I enjoyed visiting with Lavonne as a neighbor and also for Splashes of Joy. We will miss her too! Hugs to all her precious family. She loved you dearly!
Randy and sharon Smith says
Dave Kris and family,your Mom and Grandmother was so wonderful we are so very sorry for your loss you are all in our prayers.
Randy and Sharon Smith
Jan and Bob Vogel says
Dave, Kris and family, we have fond memories of LaVonne waiting on us at Jackson Creek Saloon. She was so friendly and always made us feel welcome. She will be missed by so many people. RIP Lavonne.
Cheri says
Aunt Lavonne was always a favorite. Always made us smile and made us feel so special! Hugs to you all during this time. Cheri Carr Mowry, Casper WY
Katie McKeown says
Lavonne was an amazingly strong and inspirational woman. I am so lucky to have known her and am a better person for having met her. My condolences to her family. Rest In Peace, Lavonne.
Marie Francis says
My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Lavonne was such a great lady.
The Francis Family
Kevin DeTienne says
My condolences go out to her family who have been my friends for many years. She was a very good hearted, family based …tell it how it was kind of person and very well liked. She will be missed by family, friends and the community.
linda storey says
i have known lavonne and family since i was in my 20.S she will be missedby many
Donna Coman says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Stan & I enjoyed visiting with her at Jackson Creek. She always remembered what our preferred drinks were. We’d sit down & there she was with the drinks.
Becky Pagnotta says
I met Lavonne when I met Donna, Lavonne I haven’t seen you for along time but I have great memories I keep with me you were such a wonderful, caring, loving lady and your sense of humor was undeniable. You will be missed.
Deb Walter says
Dave & family, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God bless ?. Deb Walter and Steve Gray
Shirley Bentzen Reese says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Although I only knew her for a short period of time, I remember her as a courageous, strong woman. I hope that the fun memories you have of her will help to sustain you at this difficult time.
Carolynn Bright says
I’m so very sorry to hear about Lavonne’s passing. She was an incredibly strong woman who faced challenges and tragedy head on. My thoughts are with you.
Frieda Hicks says
So sorry to hear of Lavonne’s passing. I know she was very involved in all of the family’s activities —May God be all of you and comfort you.
Diane Schmidl says
I remember when we were young, Aunt LaVonne spoke to us like we were adults. She made you feel like you were very important and loved to talk. A very special lady. So sorry for your loss, she will be missed. She will still be watching over those who loved her
Marilyn (Gruber) & Bob Maphies says
Our thoughts & prayers go out to the family. We have known Lavonne for many years and she will be missed. ?
Cassie ( Madison) James. says
Hi family,
Please know that she was such a wonderful woman inside and out. Won’t ever forget going into Jackson Creek, and ordering a burger well done and fries. She always knew my drink was a Shirley Temple.
Such a great smile and warm heart. So sorry for your loss. Sending love and prayers.
Tim Clavin says
Dave and family,
I could always get a laugh out of your mom when I called her the “Queen of Jackson Creek” when I stopped by in the past. She truly was a special person always working hard keeping things going for the family. She is now with Donna and I trust in peace. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Diane Sharp says
To all of Lavonne’s family:
So sorry for your loss! Lavonne was a great lady and had been through a lot in her life losing two of her children. It couldn’t have been easy for her, that’s for sure. RIP Lavonne!
Steve Jeri Mosby and family says
To all of Lavonne’s (Grandmas)family our sincere condolences from my family to all of hers she was a wonderful lady
Judy Rolfe says
I had the privilege of working with LaVonne during her wonderful Christmas Auctions. What a wonderful, giving soul she was. Those were always such good times at the Jackson Creek Saloon that I will cherish. I’m a better person for having known her!
Rick Marks says
Im so sorry to hear of LaVonne’s passing. I have many great memories of her… most of them while working with her at Jackson Creek. She will be missed. You are all in my prayers.
Becky Kosena says
My thoughts are with the family at this time. I worked (and laughed…ALOT) With Lavonne at Village Inn Pizza many years ago when Dave managed there. I had the pleasure of meeting most all of her children and even some of her grandchildren!…I truly adored Lavonne…I know she will be missed by many. I take peace in knowing she is reunited in Heaven with Donna & Darwin.
Jeannie and Jennifer Dixon says
The Dixon Family will miss her alot.
Sara Margie Graveley says
Gracious …friendly..funny..always made you feel like you were part of the family..much love from the Graveleys.
carolyn madplume. says
i am so sorry for her loss i got to met her and spend time with her she was a wounderful women we went to new orleans together she liked to gambel i well miss her dearley.
Brian & Cheryl Paterson says
Our thoughts are with the whole family at this time. We are so sorry for your loss. We enjoyed meeting “grandma” a couple of times. The last visit was not to many months ago at Rachelle and Mike’s house with Debbie and her daughter. I got to sit with her for a night with our Grandkids, we had a good visit, I surely did enjoy her and we laughed a lot. She was a sweet lady. Rest in peace Grandma.
Kevin and Margaret Kauska says
We met Lavonne at Jackson Creek over 20 years ago and always enjoyed our visits with her. We recently got to know Janelle, great genes! May you all find peace in your memories.
Randy Mac says
To a friend and brother at work I offer mine and my families thoughts hearts and prayers and are greatly sorry for you and your families loss.
Gary Rowley says
My thoughts and prayers go out to you Dennis and your family in the loss of your mother. It’s never easy when a loved one passes. Keep all those fond memories of her close to your heart in the days to follow.
Ray and Debbie Thares says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole Simac family. We re so sorry for your loss.
Mike and Diane Langenfus says
I have known Lavonne since around 1976 and for all the years and all the things in her life she was just as she is described in her Obit. One strong woman! She was like watching the “ever ready bunny” when she was working no matter where she was working. Always upbeat and full of fun remarks. Mike and I have missed her at Jackson Creek. Our thoughts and prayers to all the family.
Sandy and Reese Dickey says
She was a special and hard working woman. Always kept all of us in line too!! So sorry for your loss but remember she will be with the rest of your family, happy and watching over the rest of you. God bless you and know we love you all.
Kaysee Williams says
To all Lavonne’s loved ones. I’m so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bill Dolan says
I feel a real sense of loss with Mrs. Simac’s passing. What a strong willed wonderful force of nature. I have so many great memories growing up in East Helena and hanging out with Dave. Lavonne was someone you never messed with. She had a real presence about her. I always had fun joking around with her, but I always knew who was the boss! There will never be anyone quite like her. I was lucky to have known Lavonne. Dave and Chris, on behalf of all the Dolans everywhere, we send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. We are and always will be East Helena.
Tuffli family says
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers and hugs from the Tuffli family
Curt Stanghill says
John, Dave and Family, so very sorry to hear the news of Lavonne, what a memory of fun and loving times in East Helena and Montana City. We send thoughts and prayers to you from our family to yours.
Ron and Brenda Profitt says
We enjoyed getting to know Lavonne in Helena at Dennis and Teresa’s winter parties and Kalispell parties. Lavonne was always warm and friendly. We will certainly miss her.
John Mullen says
Canadian Bacon, Pineapple, and SAUERKRAUT! Thank you, Lavonne. The Mullens will truly miss you!
R. Gannon says
Lavonne, you will be missed. Thank you for all the good times in “your” Saloon.
Tom Gannon says
My condolences. Lavonne was such a wonderful person
my heart goes out to Family.
Jeannie (Kendall) Thomas says
I was taken back when I saw this on facebook, am so sad she has passed. she always had a smile for everyone. She surly will be missed. I met her n John years ago as my dad Jack Kendall worked for him. I always enjoy seeing them when dad n us would stop n visit them. I would see her once in great while at the casino. My prayers are with the family.
Tara and Michelle says
Lovonne was a hoot! Had so much fun with her at Teresa’s last Birthday party here in Kalispell! Sending thoughts and prayers to you guys!!!
Tara and Michelle
The Ray & Mary Beth Linder family says
Our family is very sad for your family. To lose such a spirit of this world … to the other world is hard. She will continue to be a wonderful light in your lives, even if from afar. Our sympathies.
Chick Bruce says
Grandma was one of the first people I met when I arrived in Montana, and to me, was the embodiment of the spirit and strength of this community. Even when she discovered I worked for the dark side (MTDoJ), she treated me with respect and friendliness. You will be missed, Grandma. the entire Bruce family sends their regards and condolences to the Simac family.
Clay Pipinich says
My condolences. Dave Lavonne was such a great person
my heart goes out to your Family.
Prayers from the Clay Pipinich Family
JACK OSTERHOUT says
Im so sorry to just find this out about lavonne , lavonne and my mother judi myers grew up and graduated in sentinel butte north dakota ,lavonne come to visit and my mom and her even celebrated their 50th class reunion together ,my thoughts to all of her family and kylie ,SHE LOVED YOU ALL ,, MY MOM JUDI HAS PASSED AS WELL ,GOD BLESS HER ,JACK OSTERHOUT ,