Cloudy, 26° F
(Nov. 19, 1937 - Oct. 31, 2017)
Loretta Mae Schwehr, daughter of Emiel and Marie Wambeke, was born Nov. 19, 1937, in Lovell.
She died Oct. 31, 2017, at Highgate Senior Living in Billings, Montana. She was 79.
Loretta graduated valedictorian from Deaver High School in 1955. She married John Schwehr on Aug. 17, 1957, at St. Patrick’s in Billings. She worked various jobs before becoming an oil and gas lease analyst for the majority of her working career.
Loretta had a knack for creativity from a young age. She enjoyed painting, playing the piano and drums, crocheting, making plaster of Paris items, decorating cakes, and designing and sewing women’s wear under the name of Roleta She-Wear. She also enjoyed camping, bowling and preparing for the holidays with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children: Laura (Jack) McClanahan, of Grovespring, Missouri; Donna Degner and Duane Schwehr of Billings, Montana; Norberta (Brian) of Montana; Rita (Todd) Brown of Billings, Montana; Elizabeth Monahan of Mammoth Lakes, California, and Douglas (Marci) Schwehr of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Loretta is also survived by two brothers: James (Judy) Wambeke and John (Evelyn) Wambeke of Deaver; two sisters Evelyn Wright and Mary (John) Fraser of Powell; and multiple nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 58 years, John Norbert; a son, John Albert; and some nieces and nephews.
A vigil/rosary will be held Sunday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at Smith’s Funeral Home, 925 S. 27th Street, Billings, Montana.
The funeral will be held Monday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara’s Church, 115 E. 3rd St., Powell.
