Michelle Farris Verbance

On Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, Michelle Farris Verbance lost her battle with cancer at her home in Missoula surrounded by her family.

Michelle was born in Salt Lake City on Sept. 19, 1962. She was 51 at the time of her passing. Michelle attended grade school in Anaconda at Dwyer and Washington grade schools and graduated from Anaconda High School in 1980.

In 1979, the family moved from Anaconda to Wise River and Michelle worked at the Wise River Club, where she met her husband, Don Verbance. Michelle loved the Big Hole Valley and all of her many friends from Wise River.

Michelle moved to Butte in 1985 and put herself through college by bartending and waitressing. She received her criminal justice degree from Montana State University and started a lifelong career in juvenile parole and probation. She was well respected by her peers throughout the state and loved helping her troubled kids strive to get their lives on track.

Michelle had her daughter Lacey in 1995 in Butte and raised Lacey in Butte and Missoula. Lacey was Michelle's pride and joy, and they were very close.

Michelle had many lifelong friends from Butte and Anaconda, which includes Patti Richardson, Kris (Eccleston) Maes, Stacy Leipheimer, Kathy Lincoln, Lori Stepan, Lana Mullaney, Brenda Beardslee and many more – too numerous to list.

Michelle loved Rockin' the Rivers with her friends, weekends at Georgetown Lake, football games with the Montana Grizzlies and golfing with her dad, brother and co-workers.

Michelle is survived by her father, Dave Farris of Butte; daughter, Lacey Farris Roche; brother, Randy and Storri Farris of Post Falls, Idaho; sister, Vicky and Jim Bjornemo of Anaconda; sister, Laura Delekta of Anaconda; and brother, Bill and Carol Farris of Bozeman.

Michelle was loved dearly by her family and will be greatly missed. She was strong, funny, loving and stern. She provided a good life for her daughter as a single mother and was a respected professional in her career. She was a loving and giving sister to her family and friends and could be counted on by her family and friends to help in any way possible.

Michelle was always the hub and center of the entire family due to her outgoing and giving nature. She was loved and respected by her entire family and friends and will be greatly missed.

A graveside service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Butte on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m.

Cremation and Burial Society of the Rockies in Missoula is assisting the family with arrangements.
Read Michelle Verbance's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.