Ruth A. Lechner
Ruth Lechner passed away on April 8, 2022, in Billings, MT, at the age of 86, surrounded by her children. She was born on August 19, 1935, to Harold and Esther House in Ballantine, MT, the middle child of five siblings: Bryson House, Helen (Jensen), Joan (Green), and Mary Jean (Kern). She graduated from Huntley Project High School where she met Charles Lechner. They married on August 8, 1953, and moved to Billings where Charles became a police officer. They had three children. Ruth worked in banking and also as a para-legal. They were married for 66 years, until Charles passed away in September 2019.
Throughout high school and later in life, Ruth had great artistic talent. Her children treasure the paintings that she has left them. She also enjoyed singing and was a member of her church choir for decades. She and Charles, along with her parents, Esther and Harold built a cabin outside of Red Lodge in 1955, and they had many wonderful memories there. Ruth stayed connected to her family and friends in the Huntley Project area and maintained lifelong friendships. She and Charles also loved to travel and visited Germany, France, Switzerland, China and much of the United States.
Ruth was a supportive, loyal, joyful and loving woman and is deeply missed by all her family. She is survived by her daughter Christina Lechner Goe (Oliver) in Helena, Tim Lechner (Pati) in Billings, and daughter Stefanie Flynn (Bryan) in Helena; and six granddaughters: Rebecca Goe (Eric Midtlyng) in Missoula, Carrie Goe Nettleton (Tyler) in Billings, Emily Goe in Seattle WA, Mara Lechner Cohn (Aaron) in Tacoma WA, Kali Lohse (Kraig) in Romeo MI, and Jenna Lechner in Portland OR; and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her younger sister, Mary Jean Kern in Pryor, MT and many nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place, and a memorial celebration of her life will be held on June 18th, 2022, at Smith Funeral Home Downtown at 11:00 AM.
