LaVonne Irene Tew
Surrounded by loved ones in her daughter's home in Helena, Montana, LaVonne Irene Tew lost her battle with metastatic breast cancer, at the age of 87, on Sunday, November 22, 2020. LaVonne was born on March 16, 1933, to Ray and Elta Drewry in Circle, Montana. Having spent most of her childhood on the family ranch 30 miles NW of Circle, LaVonne once wrote “seems like I grew up just looking between those horses' ears in one way or another.” Indeed, it was even through the ears of a horse named Slim that she met and fell in love with James “Jim” Arnold Tew. Jim even gave her a horse as an engagement ring, which he presented to her by walking the sparkling palomino mare into her mother Elta's kitchen on Christmas Day in 1950. LaVonne and Jim were married in Circle, Montana on June 20th in 1951. Throughout the course of nearly 57 years of marriage, Jim and LaVonne moved 24 times and had four children. They spent their lives ranching and rodeoing as a family. In her own words, they “had such an interesting life, with so much adventure!” It wasn't until September of 1990, that the two settled into the small town of Townsend, Montana to stay. Jim dubbed LaVonne “Granny” long before any wrinkles appeared, and it became a loving term that replaced her name for anyone she met, to the point that she would often introduce herself by saying “Hello, I'm Granny.” LaVonne gave love to everyone she met, and always had a listening ear and a warm hug for anyone who needed it. Many of the residents of Townsend came to know and love her during her many years as a waitress for both the Horseshoe and the Mint. With a soul full of song, and an enchanted green thumb, LaVonne lived for music and flowers. Throughout her life she played any instrument she could get her hands on, but her true love was her violin. LaVonne and her violin played for countless community dances, fiddling competitions, and family gatherings. When she wasn't playing music, spending time with family, or baking, LaVonne could be found outside amongst her enormous dinner plate dahlias, roses, and fruit trees. Later in life, after the passing of her beloved husband Jim, LaVonne was lucky enough to find a second love and companion in Darrel Davis. This chapter of her life brought more mountain adventures, but this time, the horses were traded out for four-wheelers. LaVonne is remembered with love by her surviving: partner- Darrel Davis, her children- Clint Tew, Clay (Roxy) Tew, Susan (Jerry) Blohm, mother of the “North Girls” - Terri Tew, ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, sister- Helen Rabenberg, brother- Gale Drewry. The following are the ones who preceded LaVonne in death: Husband- James “Jim” Tew, SonTimothy “Tim” Tew, Daughter-in-law - Deborah Tew, Sisters- Lois Ballenger and Barbara Huseby, and her Parents- Ray and Elta Drewry.Obituary
Surrounded by loved ones in her daughter's home in Helena, Montana, LaVonne Irene Tew lost her battle with metastatic breast cancer, at the age of 87, on Sunday, November 22, 2020. LaVonne was born on March 16, 1933, to Ray and Elta Drewry in Circle, Montana. Having spent most of her childhood on the family ranch 30 miles NW of Circle, LaVonne once wrote “seems like I grew up just looking between those horses' ears in one way or another.” Indeed, it was even through the ears of a horse named Slim that she met and fell in love with James “Jim” Arnold Tew. Jim even gave her a horse as an engagement ring, which he presented to her by walking the sparkling palomino mare into her mother Elta's kitchen on Christmas Day in 1950. LaVonne and Jim were married in Circle, Montana on June 20th in 1951. Throughout the course of nearly 57 years of marriage, Jim and LaVonne moved 24 times and had four children. They spent their lives ranching and rodeoing as a family. In her own words, they “had such an interesting life, with so much adventure!” It wasn't until September of 1990, that the two settled into the small town of Townsend, Montana to stay. Jim dubbed LaVonne “Granny” long before any wrinkles appeared, and it became a loving term that replaced her name for anyone she met, to the point that she would often introduce herself by saying “Hello, I'm Granny.” LaVonne gave love to everyone she met, and always had a listening ear and a warm hug for anyone who needed it. Many of the residents of Townsend came to know and love her during her many years as a waitress for both the Horseshoe and the Mint. With a soul full of song, and an enchanted green thumb, LaVonne lived for music and flowers. Throughout her life she played any instrument she could get her hands on, but her true love was her violin. LaVonne and her violin played for countless community dances, fiddling competitions, and family gatherings. When she wasn't playing music, spending time with family, or baking, LaVonne could be found outside amongst her enormous dinner plate dahlias, roses, and fruit trees. Later in life, after the passing of her beloved husband Jim, LaVonne was lucky enough to find a second love and companion in Darrel Davis. This chapter of her life brought more mountain adventures, but this time, the horses were traded out for four-wheelers. LaVonne is remembered with love by her surviving: partner- Darrel Davis, her children- Clint Tew, Clay (Roxy) Tew, Susan (Jerry) Blohm, mother of the “North Girls” - Terri Tew, ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, sister- Helen Rabenberg, brother- Gale Drewry. The following are the ones who preceded LaVonne in death: Husband- James “Jim” Tew, SonTimothy “Tim” Tew, Daughter-in-law - Deborah Tew, Sisters- Lois Ballenger and Barbara Huseby, and her Parents- Ray and Elta Drewry.
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