Lonny Vern Valentine

Lonny Vern Valentine, 79 of Great Falls, passed away on January 4, 2020 of an extended illness. Lonny was born on August 16, 1940, in Lewistown, MT to Vern and Dorothy Valentine of Moccasin. He grew up farming with his family on a wheat farm near Benchland, attending school in Moccasin. Lonny attended diesel mechanics school in Fargo, ND and then met Gwen Tyler of Moore. They married and Lonny finished a business degree at Northern Montana College in Havre. In 1967, they settled back on the farm and raised two children, Lori and Keith. Lonny raised wheat and barley, and a few cows along the way. He was an outstanding farmer as well as a diesel mechanic and creator of innovative implements. Following Gwen’s death, Lonny married Barbara Kirkegaard, his love and treasure for 25 years. Lonny and Barb retired from farming in 2000, and moved to Great Falls. They enjoyed traveling with their RV and later bought a home in Yuma, AZ that Lonny was very fond of visiting. He was surrounded by his friends throughout his life and was known as a kind and gentle man. He cherished his friendships with neighboring farmer, Rusty Senef and his son, Roger Senef. While his life was challenged by family illness and tragedy and drought, he loved his children and grandchildren, teaching them many life lessons, including perseverance. He is survived by his wife, Barb of Great Falls; daughter, Lori Cox of Grand Island, NE; son, Keith Valentine of Kalispell; grandchildren, Lance and Landon Cox and Sean and Dylan Valentine; and brother, John (Linda) Valentine of Stevensville, MT. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Lee (Ann), Rod and Tim Kirkegaard, and Roseanne Hicks; and step-grandchildren, Chandler, Dane, Taylor, Chris, Teddy, Nicki Kirkegaard and Tyler and Cheyenne Hicks. Lonny was preceded in death by Gwen Valentine and his parents. The family wishes to thank Bee Hive Homes for their kind and loving care. A memorial service will be held at First English Lutheran Church (726 2nd Ave N, Great Falls, MT) on January 30, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to his church, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, MT Chapter (3010 11th Ave N, Billings, MT 59101).