LaRene Dorothy Lahr

LaRene Dorthy Lahr peacefully passed into eternal life with the Lord on January 21, 2026. Her faith in Christ guided her every step. LaRene was born to Dale Uriah Kisling and Veronica Johanna Kisling in Sidney, Montana on May 4, 1931.She was baptized in September 1931 and brought up into the Catholic faith.

LaRene was raised in Richey, Ennis and Virginia City, Montana. She graduated from Virginia City High School on May 26, 1949 in a class of 5 students. She went on to attend the University of Montana in Missoula, graduating with a B.S. degree in Business Administration, where she met fellow Grizzly and handsome Byron Lahr. After graduation, LaRene taught school for a short time in Stevensville, MT.

Byron and LaRene were wed on October 8, 1954 in, where else, “Missoula”. By now you can tell that the spirit of Montana was alive and well in her heart and soul. LaRene and her husband, Lt. Lahr (US Army), traveled by ship while pregnant with their first child, Susan, and their cherished car to Munich Germany.

Upon return to the states and beloved Missoula, the Lahr’s began that joyous chore of establishing a home, raising a family and putting down roots. “Putting down roots” was far more adventurous than one would expect. Over the next 68 years, they lived in Missoula MT, Colville WA, Coeur d’Alene ID, Spokane WA, Portland OR, Tigard OR, Tulsa OK, Duncanville TX, Kalispell MT, Big Fork MT and McKinney TX. She worked for memorable employer’s with unforgettable names of Dr. Goode and Mr. Rob Wink.

LaRene successfully applied her business degree knowledge during a time of great technological change in the world. Transitioning office management responsibilities from handwritten journal and accounting entries to computer-generated spreadsheets and invoices. Her attention to detail was amazing and was with her all her life. Her homemaking skills, passed down from her mother “Gram,” were pure Americana. She loved to sew, crochet and knit projects for friends and family. Her family meals were culinary masterpieces.

We will always remember her as a loving wife and mother. She was a friend to many and always sweet, kind and caring.

LaRene is preceded in death by her spouse Byron of 71 years and her brother Dale Kisling. She is survived by her sister Mona Jean Turner of Pocatello ID, two daughters Sue Cuellar of McKinney TX and Tracy Felland of Whitewater WI. Two sons-in-law, Tony Cuellar and Karl Felland. LaRene and Byron have three grandsons, Connor Cuellar, Mike Felland and Matt Felland and two great-grandchildren, Esmay and Nataley Felland.