Lorna Sande Ames

Lorna Marie Sande Ames was born on December 9th, 1920, in Grand Forks, ND, and was raised by Norwegian Lutheran parents. Lorna excelled academically, graduating with honors from Grand Forks Central High School at age 16. She attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with honors at age 20. Later in life, Lorna achieved a Masters of Social Work in an accelerated program at Denver Graduate School of Social Work where her daughters were able to attend her graduation. Lorna was a dedicated Social Worker her entire life with a specialty in Child Welfare. She began her Social Work Career in North Dakota and rose quickly in her field to become an Executive Director of the Walsh County Welfare Department. As her children became old enough, she worked in the Child Welfare Program in Cass County, Fargo and then headed the Unwed Parent Program at at Lutheran Social Services in Fargo. After moving to Billings in 1970, she began work at the Yellowstone County Welfare Department and Yellowstone County Family Services, where she eventually received a 15-year service award. She received the 1986 Montana State Foster Parent Organization Social Worker Recognition Award and was honored with a Montana National Association of Social Work Award. In retirement, Lorna served as a local Ombudsman for Elderly Care in Billings, and as a consultant for the New Horizons Care Facility in Lovell, Wyoming. As a private consultant, Lorna performed home studies for adoptive families enabling them to include children-in-need as part of their families and counseled families through the challenging situations of their lives. Lorna was a Board Certified Social Worker (BCD), a long time member of the National Association Social Workers (NASW), and the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW). Lorna was known for her vivacious spirit, elegant intelligence, and humble bearing. She found a creative and positive solution to every adversity life sent her way. She instilled in her daughters and grand children a love of learning and a pride in their achievements. She taught by example that when giving of one's self, the rewards are always greater than the sacrifice. Lorna sought to improve every situation she encountered. She was a friend to every child in need. She worked tirelessly to help troubled teens overcome their challenges. A life-long blood donor, her compassion for fellow human beings was unfailing. An avid gardener, she tended her splendid rose garden as long as she was able. She is preceded in death by her treasured parents, Linus Jonathan and Ingeborg (Lunseth) Sande, beloved Aunts and Uncles including Auntie Ruth, her two cherished brothers, James Orrell, and David Lunseth, and a dear nephew, Gregory David Sande. She is survived by her dear brother Robert Linus (Elizabeth, children: Dr. Jane Elizabeth, Susan Marie, and Dr. Jonathan Linus) and sister in-law Deloris (David Lunseth, children: Jeffery James, and Kimberly Sue), and daughters, Mary Margaret Fry (Robert, children: John Robert, Sarah Elizabeth, and Anna Louise), Rebecca Ann Anderson (Gerald, children Rex Christian, Troy Nathan, and Tucker Dane), Catherine Lorna Ames, and Donna Louise Ames (Mark Anderson, children: Tiffany Claire, and Haley Lorna), an honorary daughter Dr. Gayle MacDonald Ely (Dr. Neal, and son Darren), and four great grand children. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice or plant a rosebush or a tree. A memorial service in celebration of Lorna's life will be held at a later date.