Lorraine L. Midtlyng

– On Saturday, May 4, 2013, Kentucky Derby Day, Lorraine Louise Midtlyng, Irish proud and Helmville strong, ran her final race, fitting for a woman who loved fast horses, cars and snowmobiles.

Lorraine died of natural causes at Community Medical Center at age 89.

Lorraine was born Oct. 25, 1923, in Helena, to Louise (Moreau) Mannix and Charles Norbert Mannix, ranchers near Helmville. She attended grade school at the one-room Nevada Creek School with her sister, Lucille and brother Bert. In those days the children went to school in the summers because of the harsh winters. She then attended Powell County High School for one year and graduated from Helena High School in 1942. She graduated from the University of Montana (then Montana State University) in 1946. While at the university, she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

In 1947 she was a caseworker with the Fergus County Welfare Department in Lewistown. 1949 found her back at the Mannix Ranch, avidly pursuing her interest in horses.

On Nov. 2, 1952, she married Commander Thomas "Tom" R. Midtlyng, U.S. Coast Guard, who took her far from her Helmville roots, first to Ketchikan, Alaska, then Mill Valley, Calif., Seattle, Wash., and Long Beach, Calif. During that time, including when Tom was at sea on an icebreaker for up to six months at a time, Lorraine raised their two children, Gail and Neil, and was a member of the Coast Guard Wives Club. Tom retired at the rank of captain, having served as chief of staff, 11th Coast Guard District, in July 1964, and the family returned to Helmville, living on a ranch adjacent to the Mannix Ranch.

Lorraine was a 4-H Club leader in Helmville and a Council 4-H member for Powell County and despite her dislike of math played bridge with the Helmville Bridge Club for 30 years. She also served as a Powell County High School trustee from 1977 to 1984. In 1994 Tom and Lorraine sold their ranch, joining it with the Mannix Ranch, and moved to Missoula. Lorraine continued to return to Helmville for Fourth of July picnics, Thanksgiving gatherings, graduations and weddings, and the occasional Turkey Shoot and Helmville Rodeo.

Lorraine was beautiful, gracious, a devoted sister, mother and grandmother who took great pleasure and pride in her grandchildren. She passed on her love of horses by teaching horseback riding to her children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tom; her sister, Lucille Hall; her brothers, Phillip and Bert Mannix and Tom's siblings, Robert Midtlyng, Phyllis Rider, Gretchen Mowatt and Joanna Midtlyng. She is survived by her children, Gail Haviland (John) and Neil Midtlyng (Debbie); her grandchildren, Paul Haviland (Jennifer), Brian Haviland (Rebecca Coolidge) and Thomas Haviland (Salena Warner), and Ross Midtlyng and Mikayla Midtlyng; her sister-in-law, Darlene Mannix and brother-in-law Robert Hall; cousin Margaret Sibold and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

The family extends its thanks to Only the Best Care, LLP, especially Judy Neely, for the care they provided Lorraine, which allowed her to retain her fierce independence and remain in her home for the last three years. The family would also like to thank Community Medical Center for its care and professionalism. In particular, the family is grateful for the use of "Hilda's Room" at the hospital, which provided palliative care to Lorraine and allowed her family to focus on Lorraine at the end of her life.

At her request cremation has taken place at Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory. A interment service will be held Sunday, May 12, for immediate family members only. A celebration of Lorraine's life will be held for those who knew Lorraine and friends of the family at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 8, in Helmville at the Community Center. If you plan to attend the celebration of Lorraine's life, please contact Gail or Neil.

Memorials for Hilda's Room in Lorraine's name may be made to Community Medical Center Foundation, 2827 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, Montana 59804.

Read Lorraine Midtlyng's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.