Lynnette Lake

Flags across Montana were at half staff on the last day of 2024 to honor the loss of one of her dearest daughters. Lynnette Lake passed while caring for her family, as she so often did. While the rest of the country was mourning the death of President Carter, Montana residents were grieving the death of a mother, grandma, sister, cousin, friend, dog-mom, fun instigator, terrific cook, and organizer extraordinaire.

Lynnette was born on December 26, 1955 to John and Dorothy Miner in Hardin, Montana. A pioneer in a family that would soon be bursting with siblings. She had many opportunities to hone her leadership skills. The family moved to Billings, Montana in 1964 into an idyllic neighborhood with plenty of neighbors and kids to befriend. She welcomed her first daughter Jennifer into her adventures in November of 1975, starting her own little family. She married Archie Lake in the summer of 1979 and the little family was completed by the birth of her second daughter, Sarah in 1980. The adventures, however, were nowhere near complete. 

The little family would make their home in many wild, beautiful parts of Montana before settling in Helena. Beloved friends Toby and Callie, John and Kathy, Herb and Karen and many others would join them in the fun. There was work to be done as well, Lynnette utilized her sharp, strategic mind to carve out a decades long career with the State of Montana, Office of Public Instruction. Of course, she made a group of tight-knit friends of a slightly higher caliber than winos which dubbed themselves “The Vinos.”

She will be remembered by many who crossed her path. Many were drawn to her loving nature or were hapless participants in her grand plan of adventure. If you were nearby, you were included and invited in her plans and there wasn’t a lot of room for argument. She was known as the Queen of Everything by her family and her friends and her rule dictates that we gather together and we have a good time doing it. Lynnette loved us deeply and fiercely and has cemented together a large, sprawling group of loyal subjects dedicated to merry-making.

Lynnette’s presence touched so many lives. Her devoted dog, Teddy would refuse to eat while she was away and is probably still to this day searching for her at home. We are all a little lost without Lynnette.  The duty-free shops around the country are feeling the sting as well. Gin, Jameson and tequila futures were down 5% in early morning trading. To camping enthusiasts far and wide she was known as Trixie. And when she was out eating with her sisters, other diners would know her as “lady, could you keep it down?” Legend has it she even managed to get a whole crowd at the Billings Music Festival out of their seats and dancing using her patented dance move The Butt Bonk. She continues to touch lives in the physical realm through her incredibly generous act of organ donation. 

Lynnette is survived by two daughters Jennifer Lake and Sarah Britton; three grandchildren Mikayla Britton, Jazzylynn Britton, and Isabella Britton; five siblings Collette (Norman) Fry, James Miner, Janette (Mark) Kahler, Paulette (Brett) Boutin and Camette Miner; nieces and nephews Megan Fry, Jonathan Fry, Heather Kahler, Dan Miner, Adam Miner, Brandon Miner, Jordan Miner, Austin Boutin, Autumn Boutin, Aurora Boutin,  Gwynn Knight, Jude Knight and  countless friends. She is preceded in death by her dear Archie and her parents, John and Dorothy Miner.  To her daughters, Jenny and Sarah, Lynnette’s passing is perhaps the most painful. But with her gifts of strength and love her daughters will carry on Lynnette’s legacy of giving and joy. Her siblings are also feeling grief. There will be many moments of sadness. But with time they will share in the fun of planning parties, camping trips, and deciding who will jump in the freezing mountain creek first. Her partner Daniel O’Haire is hurting as well, but will one day be fondly remembering their shared adventures as he begins new ones.

Those of us here on earth have a bittersweet task in front of us. We must hold fast to the precious memories Lynnette gave us as gifts. We must also grow from our grief and learn from her example to continue  making those memories in her stead. Lynnette’s future journey is one of peace and mystery. Her body will return to the earth to nourish the natural treasures she loved so much in her travels. Her spirit will return to those of her tribe that left before her. She will be reunited with her mother, from whom she learned a love of family. And her father who taught her how to have fun. She will meet her husband Archie with whom she raised her children and had many adventures. She will rejoin her pack of Molly, Bailey and Nanook. She will live on in the recipients of her final gift of organ donation. And, if he is very lucky, she may run into Jimmy Carter and teach him how to run an organization.

Readers, wherever you are when you read this, take a deep breath and allow yourself a deep sob. A true treasure is no longer with us. Then, when you’re able to pull yourself together from that puddle, dust yourself off, fix your crown and plan your next adventure with your tribe. It’s what Lynnette would have wanted. 

A celebration of life is planned for Summer 2025.