Marian Lightner

Marian Elizabeth Lightner (Ries) deceased September 11, 2024 at Teton Peaks in Choteau, MT at 88 years of age. Marian was born on February 25th, 1936 in Conrad, MT as one of 8 children to the late Alfred and Mary (DeBoo) Ries.

Marian grew up with her siblings in Conrad, MT, graduated from Conrad high school in 1954, and attended Carol College where she studied to become a registered nurse. In 1956 Marian graduated with a Bachelor's of Science and went on to hold nursing residencies in Butte and Warm Springs. Following her residencies, Marian moved back to Conrad, where she met her husband Raymond Lightner. They were married on June 6th, 1959 and settled in Valier on the LP ranch. The family later purchased a farm north of Choteau where they lived, raising their 6 children, from 1969 to 1997 before moving to Great Falls.

She and Ray loved traveling in their motorhome often taking some of their grandchildren with them. In her later years, Marian enjoyed tending to her yard and garden in Great Falls and had a devotion to her feathered friends with a scheduled feeding time, often from whatever she might find in her refrigerator. But she was very happy when she returned back to Choteau in December of 2023, which she always considered her home. Marian enjoyed spending time with her family and many grandchildren and great grandchildren at the Agawam Oasis in Choteau. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Traditional Catholic Church and was devoted to her Catholic faith.

A Rosary Service will be held on Wednesday, September 18th at 6:00 PM at Frontier Funeral Home in Choteau, MT. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 19th at 10:00 AM at The Immaculate Heart Of Mary Traditional Catholic Church in Black Eagle, MT followed by interment in Choteau Cemetery and a reception at Choteau Country Club at 2:00 PM.

Marian is survived by her children Kevin (Tammie) Lightner, Jim (Laura) Lightner, Tom (Amy) Lightner, all of Choteau, MT and Debbie (Mark) Janssen of Andover, MN; her brother, John Ries (Linda Radford), and sisters Emma Jean (Clay) Freeman, and Veronica (Jim) Franey. Marian is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family.

Marian is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Lightner; daughters Diane Tesch and Jennifer Lightner Keller; grandson, Zachary Lightner; sisters, Cecelia Ries and Sister Bernadette O.P; and her brothers, Francis and Stephen Ries.

Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Traditional Catholic Church, 2200 Smelter Ave, Black Eagle, MT 59414.

Condolences to the Family may be shared at www.frontierfuneralhome.com