Phyllis "Marlene" Lackey

Phyllis "Marlene" Lackey, 88, of Missoula, passed away on Friday, August 6, 2021 of natural causes.

She was born on September 24,1932 to Clarence and Trannie Koons in Little River, Kansas. As a young girl she lived with her family in the wheat lands of Kansas, riding her little pony to school. She often spoke fondly of her memories she had of training her pony to "gallop in place". A task she was very proud of.

On September 16, 1950, she married Paul Lackey in Kansas. The couple lived in Riverside California while Paul was serving in the Navy and she worked as a dental assistant. When he got out of the Navy, they returned to Kansas to farm until they moved to Montana in 1966, where she worked at Newberry's for a few years. She later worked side by side with her husband in his machine shop business.

Marlene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Later in life, she took time to take great care of her friends. Her numerous friends spoke of her kind and loving heart. She was very fortunate to have good health until recent days so she helped her "elderly" friends by taking them to their appointments, shopping or to lunch. She was always there to help how ever she could; sometimes that meant to just sit and visit. She loved to travel, whether it was a trip to the eastern states to view the fall colors, a cruise to the Caribbean, or a road trip to visit her home state, she always enjoyed the beauty of each adventure and loved to shared her experiences with others.

She enjoyed gardening and often times shared floral arrangements from her garden with her friends. She enjoying cooking and trying new recipes; often times taking tasty treats to potlucks for all to enjoy. She is known for her famous chocolate sauce which was always a coveted treat that was repeatedly asked for. Most of all she truly enjoyed being with her family. She loved playing games with her grandchildren; often times staying up past her bedtime to win a game of SkipBo; UNO, Rummy Tile, Dominos, or the Farming Game (she would always get so mad when she drew the "DDT got in your cow's feed" card -- which was followed by lots of laughter from her loved ones). She was a fierce competitor and wouldn't allow her "kids" to cheat.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a daughter, Deborah; siblings, Evelyn Oswalt, Roberta Knocksted and Clayton Koons.

She will be greatly missed by her son, Paul (Sally) Lackey; her daughters, Cindy Sheaman, Brenda (Ray) Woodside and Bev (Daryle) Thom. Her grandchildren: Jayme (Justin) Waldo; Danny (Kim) Sheaman, Rebecca (Talmadge) McCamment, Mikel (Katie) Sheaman, Douglas (Kelly) Sheaman; Susanna (Brian) Chamberlain; Amanda Snyder; Kevin (Sara) Gardner; Tashjia (Eric) Fortune; Taylor Thom; Andrea (Brett) Chambers; Ben (Emily) Lackey. Her great-grandchildren: Tysen (Desirae), Cody, Kyle and Dylan Chamberlain; Ethan and Liam McCamment; Cambry and Baron Waldo; Colton, Remington and Dalton Gardner; Vanessa, Savanna and Caden Snyder, Charlie Inch and Penelope Chambers; Wyatt Lackey; Julian, Calvin and Anders Sheaman; Carter, Andrew and Benson Sheaman.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 12th, 9:30 to 10:30 with services following at 11:00 at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W Broadway St. Burial will be held at Missoula Cemetery. There will be a luncheon provided at the funeral home - please bring your favorite dessert to share.

Oh, to have just one more moment with you Mom .... you will be in our hearts forever.