Lavern R. Bailey, 88

Lavern R. Bailey, 88, of Polson, passed away on June 10, 2011, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson.

Lavern was born on May 13, 1923, in Milk River, Alberta, Canada, to Clarence and Minnie Moerke. She grew up in Sweet Grass until moving to Valley View, near Polson, in 1933. Lavern graduated from Polson High School in 1942.

She married Dale Bailey on May 10, 1942. They farmed and ranched in Valley View for many years before moving into town. She and Dale built and started the Mountain Meadows Resort at Lake Mary Ronan.

Lavern enjoyed working at the Country Store and Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry in Polson. She was a member of the Polson Community Church and the Valley View Women’s Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; two infant sons; and her parents.

She is survived by her daughter, Anita and Roger Targerson of Polson; two grandchildren, Wes and Randi Targerson, and Melissa and Clinton Chowning, all of Polson; and five great-grandchildren, Emily, Owen and Lucas Targerson, and Chelsia and Cadis Chowning. She is also survived by a sister, Virginia Jacobson of Prineville, Ore.; a sister-in-law, Lovie Bailey of Polson; and numerous other relatives.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at Grogan Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at the Polson Community Church, with the Rev. Russ Barber officiating. A private family burial will be held at Lakeview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Polson Community Church or Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry.

Condolences may be left to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.

Grogan Funeral Home considers it a privilege to care for the Bailey family.