LaRue Lebel, 83
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Hauline "LaRue" Lebel of Bigfork. She died unexpectedly on Jan. 14, 2025, at Logan Heath Hospital in Kalispell, with her husband, Norm, granddaughter, Aubrey, daughter, Tami, and son-in-law, Ralph, by her side. She is now in the loving presence of Jesus.
LaRue was born on Jan. 18, 1941, to Hauline and Clyde Myers in Truscott, Texas. After graduating from Banning High School in Wilmington, California, she married her high school sweetheart, George Wallace Boss, and they went on to have three children, Kimberly LaRue Boss (Halverson), Tami Jane Boss (Ertz) and George Wallace Boss, Jr. "Wally." She was an incredible mother to her children.
In 1988, LaRue married Norm Lebel. They had a very close, loving marriage for over 36 years. After living on boats in Los Angeles for several years, they decided to head ashore in 1996 and built a home in Bigfork, next to LaRue’s daughter, Kim, and her three children. Sadly, Kim died of cancer on Jan. 14, 2007, and then Wally died the very next year, losses of which left a large hole in her life. It was odd, or maybe predestined, that LaRue would die on the anniversary of Kim’s death. After Kim died, Norm and LaRue became legal guardians of her four-year-old daughter, Aubrey, and they raised her as their own. A time that could have been drenched in sorrow was exchanged for happiness and purpose for all of them. LaRue couldn’t have loved Aubrey more and she was always so proud of the person she became.
LaRue was an exceptional person. She was beautiful, smart, witty, affectionate, kindhearted and always fun to be around. Her greatest joy was having large family gatherings with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, playing games, sitting outside by the fire, relaxing at the lake, going to play BINGO, or just being with all of them. She leaves a legacy of treasured memories.
In addition to being a mom and homemaker throughout her life, LaRue also had a long career as an accountant, working for multiple accounting firms in California and then finally retiring in 2003 after working over six years as the controller at Marina Cay Resort in Bigfork.
LaRue is survived by her husband, Norm, brother, Glenn Myers (Sharon), daughter, Tami Ertz (Ralph) grandchildren and their families, Presley Halverson (Fran, Brayden, Sebastian and Ava), Rachel Halverson, Aubrey Halverson, Jordan (Ertz) TeSelle (Jake, Hayden, Camille and Jayna), Ryan Ertz (Maria and Max), Dalton Ertz (Shelby and Jesse), Susie (Boss) Cummings (Ryder), Norm’s children and their families, Gregg Lebel (Kelly, Max, Tristian and Carys), Randy Lebel (Tanner, Hunter and Ryland), Tiffany (Lebel) Epstein (Jean Paul, Madeleine, Lila and Chevalier), Kimberly Kates; Wendy (Lebel) Tividad (Vince and Harmony), several beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends, and her little fur baby, Harley.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, July 8, at 11 a.m. in the Pavillion at The Nest on Swan River, Bigfork. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made towards Aubrey’s college and law school debt, as LaRue had desired, at the GoFundMe website at www.gofund.me.com