Owen Mark LaFave, age 73, died on Thursday, June 9, 2016 in Helena, Montana.
He was born November 2, 1942 in Pollock, South Dakota. He was the eldest of three children born to Mark and Kathryn (Vander Vorste) LaFave. The family moved to Cody, Wyoming in December 1944.
Owen graduated from Cody High School in 1961. There are many tales told and untold of his shenanigans. During his time growing up, he had an avid interest in history. He spent many hours hunting artifacts and learning about the Native American culture. He was a member of the Mitziadazi Indian group that preformed during the summer for the tourists in front of the Irma Hotel and in the Cody 4th of July Stampede Parade. The group was privileged with the honor of presenting a peace pipe to John Wayne during his visit to Cody.
He married Sandra Spitzer in 1964. They were blessed with two children; Shawna and Mark. The family spent many hours together camping, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors. Owen and Sandi divorced in 1984.
He worked at Husky Oil in Cody until its closure in 1983. In 1985, Owen moved to Helena, MT. He was united in marriage to Kellie Gillis on June 27, 1987. They spent many wonderful trips in Yellowstone doing what they loved to do together, photographing wildlife. Kellie and Owen were two peas in a pod. They lived their life together by three simple words; Live, Love, Laugh.
Owen worked at Westmont and Spring Meadow in Helena with the developmentally disabled. He loved the time he spent with them, helping them grow pumpkins and tomatoes at the Farm in the Dell. Owen had a special talent with people on every level; he never judged or ridiculed. Just by being who he was, he was able to encourage and help people grow to their greatest potential. His easy, positive attitude was only superseded by his sense of humor and love of a good prank. He always had a knack for finding the right moment to crack a small joke.
Owen enjoyed photography, bowling, playing horseshoes and darts with his daughter, painting with his granddaughter, cheering on the Denver Broncos and impersonating Burt Reynolds in his Trans Am. He was a joy to everyone he met. Owen was preceded in death by baby LaFave, his parents Mark and Kathryn; and his mother-in-law Dixie Gillis.
He is survived by his wife, Kellie; his daughter, Shawna(Jill) LaFave, son Mark(Jani) LaFave, granddaughters Katie and Ashlyn LaFave all from Helena; brother, Neil (Vi) LaFave of Cody, Wyoming; sister RoyAnn (Gary) Madsen of Reno, Nevada, brother-in-law Kip (Marcia) Gillis of Sheridan, WY, sister-in-law Kim Smith of Sheridan, WY and many nieces and nephews who were very special to him.
A memorial service celebrating Owen’s life will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, June 17th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena. A coffee and cookie reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent in Owen’s name to West Mont Farm and Gardens, 2708 Bozeman Ave, Helena MT 59601.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Friday June 17, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of His Life
Friday June 17, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Friday June 17, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of His Life
Friday June 17, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Michelle Jones says
Owen was such a wonderful man. He was always so kind and loving to me. He treated me like a daughter.
Doc T. says
If there was ever a man who embodied the spirit of what being a friend was all about, it was Owen. I am thankful I had a solid 50 years of his friendship here in Helena, back in our hometown, and yes…that damn Husky Oil Refinery. He had a way of making your worst day a positive experience, was always willing to drop whatever he was doing to come help you out with a problem, and could be counted on to help whenever you called. There are people I know who have passed away and I miss them, but I shall miss Owen the most…
Gretchen LaFave says
Getting to know Owen was one of the nicest experiences I treasure being a LaFave. He taught me a lot of stuff, like not to trust he and the many when we went camping in the so called “wilderness”. I got to know both of his children and they are beautiful souls. I will miss him as I know my husband Les and his brothers (and their families) will also.
Maggie says
Shawna (Jill) & Kelli – my heart is saddened with the news of Owen. He was a wonderful man!
Maggie
Darci says
I worked with Owen at SMR, and loved every minute of it! I have seen few people treat anyone else with the respect, and dignity that he did. I am so very sorry for your loss, I was lucky to have known him.
Ken Boggio says
Owen was a life long friend and classmate from CHS in Cody, WY. Owen was one of the inspirations in my life to play, and continue to play the trumpet. Thanks buddy. You will be missed greatly by all of us. R.I.P.
Don Hardy says
Owen was the “Fonzie,” of my early years, the kind of guy who always “cool,” someone who dressed cool and had a cool car, someone people just wanted to be around. My fondest memories include late night conversations over beers we were too young to have, and therefore cherished. We pondered things truly important in life — not what had happened, not who-did-what-to-whom, but what was truly important in life and what we could try to make happen when we took our places in the adult world. Owen fulfilled his role as an adult, and as a man, with class.
Deb Wardell says
Owen was a very special person in my family’s life. There are way too many memories to list, but a couple that stick out are: showing me how to photograph the wildlife in Yellowstone, teaching me the ways of the elk, throwin’ horseshoes and talking smack the whole time, while drinking MGD, to singing “There’s a Hole at the Bottom of the Sea”, to the girls around the campfire, crawdad catching with grandpa, then grilling. I couldn’t even guess the number of hours spent around the campfire with him and Kellie, solving all the world’s problems and laugh, laugh, laugh!!! God bless this good man, he truly is an asset in heaven and I’m I truly blessed to have had him in my life!! Thank you for all the memories Owie!!
Marilyn Lockrem says
My memories of Owen go a long way back to as kids camping, fishing, and hunting with our parents Owen was the leader of our little pack so much fun we had playing Cowboys and Indians and chasing each other around the mountains, Owen pushing me in the cold pool of water or he and Neil trying to scare Royanne and I in the camper and so many I can’t even begin to tell. I will miss knowing that he was sharing the world with me and everyone he ever knew. I will miss his beautiful pictures and his posts on facebook . Go with God Owen, until we meet again.
Rich Clausen says
My thoughts and prayers go out to Kellie, Shawna, Mark, and families… Owen was a wonderful man— He was like a second father to me for several years… I do, and will always miss him, and his friendship… Rest in Peace, sir..
Andy Caraveau says
Owen and I were best of friends at CHS and after graduation until I left Wyoming. We spent many hours cruising Sheridan Ave in his ’59 Ford retractable hardtop. I will never forget the good times we had together, and I am so sorry to hear of his passing. He will be greatly missed at our 55th reunion in September.
Robin Reagle says
sorry for the loss! 🙁 I’m going to miss bowling with him! now he can get strikes and watch his Broncos all he wants!! 🙂 my thoughts are with his family and friends! 🙂
Clint Ohman says
Very nice person. I am pleased to have crossed paths with Owen.