Lanette French

Lanette “Nettie” French passed away on July 4th in Billings, MT, with her daughter, April by her side.

Lanette was born on October 16th, 1964, in Bismark, ND to the proud parents of Thomas and LaVerne Huffman. Her big blue eyes, curly hair, and adorable smile caught the eye of Gerber's baby food company as she was a contestant in their baby contest. She was also featured on TV commercials for a photographer in Bismarck, ND.

Being raised in Glendive, MT, she attended and graduated high school at Dawson County High School in 1984. She commented how tough it was to have had her Dad as her teacher in high school but managed to pass his class. Soon after graduating, she moved to Billings, MT, to attend the Billings Workshop. While there, she met her one and only boyfriend, Nick French. In 1988, they married and had a daughter, April. They were married for 32 years until Nick's passing in 2020.

She worked at Rocky Mountain College as a dishwasher for more than 25+ years. She worked other jobs in the food industry until she could no longer work.

The frequent phone calls from Lanette, day and night (keeping the Huffman tradition alive) kept the family connected as she was a grapevine of information, relaying who was doing what. Her memory of family's birthdays and dates of special occasions was impressive.

She had a special knack for humorous and lighthearted conversations with almost anyone she met. Even though life didn't deal her the best hand, she still found a way to brighten others' day. She enjoyed making light of the situation by making her caretakers laugh.

She was often found at the kitchen table playing cards, making pumpkin bars for friends and family (especially the French's Christmas parties), and doing crafts. During the last several years she developed a passion for making tie blankets (Grandma Elsie would have been proud) and making intricate diamond dot pictures. She had incredible patience and received such joy giving them as gifts. Nettie enjoyed going to the Senior Center to play Bingo and make new friends. She loved all animals, often finding her talking to them like a friend, especially her cat Muffin.

Even on her hardest days, she would still smile while having a good attitude and assure you that she was okay.

Lanette's family would like to especially thank Dr. Maier and the staff at St. Vincent's Hospital for their many years of care for Lanette, as well as the Advanced Care Hospital, Billings Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Hospice of Stillwater County for their tender care and friendship.

Lanette was preceded in death by her husband Nick; grandson Christopher Copeland; parents Tom and LaVerne Huffman; maternal grandparents Chuck and Elsie Siedschlaw; paternal grandparents of George and Mary Huffman; stepbrothers Greg Reisenauer and Matthew Reisenauer.

Lanette is survived by her daughter April (Eric Dennis) of Billings; sister Tami Starkey (Tim) and nephew Cole of Rapid City, SD; step-mother Mary Ann Huffman of Spearfish, SD; step-siblings Violet Steinsland of Black Hawk, SD, Bernard (Lorie) Reisenauer of Bowman, ND, Dwayne (Angie) Reisenauer of Staples, MN; Step-sister-in laws Anita Reisenauer of Elbow Lake, MN and Alphia Reisenauer of Hemet, CA; Uncle Lyle (Mary) Siedschlaw of Apopka, FL; Aunt JoAnn (Rick) Bartsch of Billings, MT; siblings-in-law Bobbi (Carl) Michotte of Nye, MT; Doug (Sue) French of Billings, MT; Karen (Steve) Snook of Norwood, CO; Al(Terri) of Columbus, MT as well as many cousins, extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 20th at 11:00 AM at Dahl Funeral Chapel. A live recording will also be available to watch for those who cannot attend. A burial for both she and her husband Nick will follow at Yellowstone Memorial Park in Billings.