Laynn Chase

Laynn Chase, 79, of Billings, passed away on May 3, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinsons which he fought with every part of his being. Laynn was born in Malta, MT, and grew up in Great Falls, MT. Following his graduation from Great Falls High School in 1962, he joined the United States Army and served with the Army Reserves until 1970. During his time with the Army, Laynn was recognized with a Letter of Commendation for Exemplary Conduct.

He met his wife in 6th grade and then at Ford's Drive-In in Great Falls they reconnected, and on August 7, 1965, Laynn married the love of his life, Regina Benedetti, and they started their journey of 57 years together, raising three sons and making countless memories. In 1972, the young family moved to Lewistown, Montana where Laynn was a manager for Buttrey Foods. He remained in Lewistown until 1988 before moving to Billings. While in Lewistown, Laynn was a valued member of the community, serving on many community boards, including being the chairman of the school board for two terms.

After moving to Billings, Laynn went to work as the manager of Ryan's Cash and Carry with SuperValue Foods, continuing his career in the grocery industry which he loved doing so he could interact with the public and many of his customers would become lifelong friends. Shortly after moving to Billings, he became involved with the Billings Food Bank, serving in many different capacities, including president of the board of directors, and was instrumental in getting the current food bank building built so that they could better serve the Billings community. Work to Laynn was not a job, it was a way to help others and interact with people, something that he loved. His employees were not just workers to him and over the years, he helped a large number of people get ahead in life and many looked up to him as a second father.

Laynn instilled into his sons his work ethic, sense of humor, love of helping others, and was fiercely proud of the three of them. He never missed an activity in their young lives and in their adult lives checked in with them and talked them through whatever they had going on whether it was a difficult situation or a celebration for a job well done. In their younger years, he took them hunting, fishing, swimming, and exploring. He was always up for an adventure with his boys, but only after their chores were done.

Laynn was Papa to his ten grandchildren whom he loved with his entire heart. His time with his grandchildren was always his favorite. From the time they were all little, each of them found their own special bond with their Papa for different reasons from learning to work on cars, which was his passion, to loving every dog they met, like he did. And each of them learned to play pranks from their Papa, something they all carry on to this day. When a prank was played, even at the end of his life, he would get a twinkle in his eye and smile and the kids would all laugh and smile with him. But, more than anything, they each knew that no matter what they were going through, their Papa was in their corner at all times.

Laynn was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Gladys Gunderson, and his son, Michael Chase, a special uncle, Gene Carnahan, as well as his beloved in-laws, Joe, Rose Benedetti, and Ginny Benedetti. There is no doubt that the reunion they all had in Heaven was full of laughter. He is survived by his wife, Reggie of Billings, his sons Curt (Jane) of Victorville, CA, and Randy (Lynda) of Billings, MT as well as his grandchildren Alex (Tanner), Austin (Morgann), Michael (Lila), Cole, Hannah, Connor, Joey, Brady, Brandon, and Maddie as well as his many nieces and nephews he loved as his own.

Laynn will be missed by all who knew and loved him and has left a void in the lives of many. He would tell us to get it together and move on, which we all will do to honor him. God blessed us with a special man but has called him home and now we will continue his legacy. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard Catholic Church, in Billings, at 1 pm on Friday, May 12. A private burial and military honors will be at Yellowstone National Cemetery in June.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you make a donation to The Parkinson's Foundation or the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter or just go out and give a dog a treat (he always had one at the ready) and say a kind word to a stranger like he always did.