LaVera Grace Kalsher passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 01. 2022, after a brief illness in the presence of family members. She was 97.

LaVera was born on February 05, 1925.  She was one of four sisters born and raised on a small ranch outside Lima, Montana. Her parents, John and Tina (Downing) Peterson, and grandparents were among the early pioneers who made their way to Montana by wagon and horseback at the turn of the twentieth century to follow their dreams of building a better life, settling in Lima. LaVera graduated from Lima High School in 1943 as the salutatorian of her class.

LaVera led an interesting life. Following the death of husband Tom McKenzie, she and her sister Mabel owned and operated the Dell Hotel just north of Lima. In 1953 she met and then married Joseph Kalsher and moved to Butte, where she resided until her death. She was a devoted and active member of the Church in the Valley in downtown Butte. Later in life, she and husband Joe enjoyed traveling the U.S. on bus trips with friends and they routinely made the trip over Homestake Pass to dance to polka music played by a one-man band at a venue outside Whitehall on weekends.

She is survived by her three children, John (Charlotte) McKenzie of Buxton, Patty (Paul) Edwards of Columbus, and Michael (Kendra) Kalsher of Hamilton, sister Darlene Brown, seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands and sisters Mabel Allen and Genrose Jolly.

Although we are grateful that she passed away peacefully, we will all miss her greatly.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Thursday, June 30. 2022, at 11:00 PM in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: Church in the Valley or the charity of your choice.