On Monday September 15, 1941 at 5:07 a.m., a 5 lb., 14 oz., 24-inch long little girl was born to Ruth and Bud Huffer. They named her Jerie Lee, and so her story began.

Born at the old Saint James Hospital, and arriving home on Silver Bow Blvd., was only the beginning of a childhood spent with extended family in the nearby Greeley School neighborhood. Summers were spent sliding down hay bales at her Grandma Durkees family ranch near Avon.

In 1952 her sister Cathy joined her and the other cousins in the fun.

She attended both Greeley and Butte High Schools where she made life-long friendships. After a brief stint at MSU-Bozeman, Jerie moved back to Butte to find a job. Her work history consisted of a brief, 30 years, working for the State of Montana in both the Employment and Unemployment Divisions. After those 30 years she thought it best to follow in her Mother's foots steps and give waiting tables a try. After 5 years at Copper City Casino, she spent 20 years working for Lenny's Casino. This was in addition to side jobs from time-to-time, from working at the corner grocery store to working private parties as a cocktail waitress with Pat McCall. She was no stranger to hard work and making it on her own.

Jerie married Dick Hafer in the 1960's and welcomed son Dave Hafer in 1968. She remarried in the 1970's where she and then husband Robert Rebish welcomed Michaelann (MIKIE) Rebish, later she married John Philp. Throughout this time she also welcomed into her home her namesake cousin from Seattle, Geri Diane, who spent all most of summers as part of her family. More Close

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Jerie was a tough Butte girl. We "joked" that when the "Bad Boys of Butte" was printed, she read it and suggested a few names that could be added to each "job", proving that behind every Bad Boy of Butte, was a good girl. (Her copy is for family eyes only.)  She had some amazing times, incredible stories and fantastic friends. She experienced life in a different era, when things were much simpler and more real, and much safer since there was no photographic evidence.

Jerie was preceded in death by the light of her life and her mini-me, Michaelann; parents, Ruth and Bud Huffer; special Aunt and Uncle, Betty and Rudy Varelia, and we should mention she outlived all of her ex's (proclaiming herself a "widow", versus a divorcee).

She is survived by sister, Cathy Huffer; son, Dave Hafer and his husband Mike Lewis, all of Butte; Granddaughter Alysha Nichols and husband Adam of Weston Missouri; special sister-in-law, Gere Hafer Speer and husband Steve of Polson, MT; special cousin Geri Diane Leighton of Seattle; and numerous cousins and many friends.

In lieu of donations take a friend to lunch, coffee, or a whiskey ditch and reconnect.

Services will be held at Duggan Dolan on Thursday Jan 23 at 1:00 p.m.