Alice Rand

We said goodbye to our mother, Leona Meek Rand, at the age 95, on 8/26/2015. She died from complications of the Alzheimer's disease she had battled for ten years. Leona was born June 16, 1920, the fourth child of James Thomas and Effie Jane Carpenter. Her birth place, a homestead outside of Deaver, Wyoming, is still standing. Her brother, Jim Carpenter, and two sisters, Marie (Dyke) Wyman and Rachel (John) Kysar, preceded her in death. Leona is survived by her three children. Roy (Pearl) Meek of Grand Junction, CO., Lynda (Robert) Zirpoli of Billings, MT., and Claudette (Dan) Brouillette of Laurel, MT. She has six grandchildren, Rebecca (John) Stasko, Tammy (Kurt) Brehm, Mrs. Nichole Pilakowski (Christian Seal), Zarek Pilakowski, Bobby Baker and Amber Baker. In addition, she has 12 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Leona was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George Rand and her first grandchild, Claude Roy Meek. Mother was an independent pioneer (for a woman in the late 1950's) who raised her daughters on her own in Billings, MT. She also worked outside the home at Buttrey's Foods as a checker until she found her vocation as a drapery seamstress at Elliott's Furnitures. Our draperies at home were beautiful. Her ability to work outside the home (which was in perfect order), keep our clothes starched and ironed, and make sure we looked well-cared-for spoke volumes about her personality. Mother was the first Energizer Bunny we knew. She seldom sat down, and naps were an impossibility for her. In addition, she was known as someone who shared her laughter easily and was able to laugh at her own mistakes. She was in her early forties when she met and married her soul-mate, George Rand. His work provided the opportunity to live in many states between Virginia and New Mexico. Following his death at age fifty-eight, Mother returned to work at Elliott's Furniture. After retiring at age 62, she found new responsibilities as a grandmother and as a tender of her beloved yard and flowers. When macular degeneration took her eyesight and forced her to leave her home, she moved to Aspen View, a retirement home where she resided for eight years. As her Alzheimer's disease progressed, she moved next door to Aspen Meadows for more supervised care, residing there for her remaining five and a half years. We will miss you mother, but because you taught your children to know the God of infinite love and mercy, we will no longer grieve but will celebrate your life and carry you in our hearts until we meet again. Viewing 1:00pm up to the Vigil, which will be held 6:00pm Friday, August 28, 2015 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass 10:30am Saturday at St. Patrick Co-Cathedral. Interment 9:00am Monday at Holy Cross Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of the staff at Dahl Funeral Chapel.