Frances Thoeny Obituary

Frances Evelyn (Reno) Thoeny, age 87, passed away July 5, 2025 in Billings, MT after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Frances was born on July 15, 1937 in Rushville, Nebraska, the first of 4 children born to Clarence and Irene Reno. She moved with her family to Terry, MT at the age of 6 and attended schools there. She graduated as the Salutatorian of her class of 1955 and was also awarded the Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow award. She went on to earn the America's Homemaker of Tomorrow at the state level as well; earning her a first edition Betty Crocker cookbook and a pin. She attended Eastern Montana College in Billings where she earned her teaching certificate and then taught in Glendive for 2 years.
Frances married Henry Thoeny on June 21, 1959 and in 1960 they bought the Marshall Berry Place southwest of Brockway and there they raised their 4 children; Brian, Steve, Lisa and Mark. Living in the country she put her homemaker skills to great use. She enjoyed raising a large garden and canning everything from jams and jellies to meat and vegetables. She was an excellent baker and pies were her specialty-especially her crust-a recipe handed down to several friends and family. She was an accomplished seamstress and sewed most of Hank's shirts, her own clothes and lots of clothes for her daughter. In the winter she enjoyed knitting and made several sweaters for herself, her daughter and granddaughters.
In 1977 they moved into Terry, MT where she was a teacher's aide in the elementary school and later in the High School. She was a dedicated Terrier fan; attending the football games, basketball games and wrestling matches that her kids played in.
In 1986 she and Hank moved to Winnemucca, NV where she worked at the JC Penney catalog desk for several years. While there, she was active in a Sorority, water aerobics and volunteering at a local thrift/donation shop. In 2013 they moved to Great Falls, MT and then to Miles City, MT in January of 2019. Due to declining health, they then moved to Canyon Creek Assisted Living in Billings, MT in August 2020.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother William (Bill) and her husband Henry.
She is survived by her 4 children: Brian (Debby) of Gillette, WY, Steve (Pat) of Rosebud, MT, Lisa (Kris) Verren of Price, UT and Mark (Nina) of Cathedral City, CA; 8 grandchildren: Brandon, Kacie, Oakley, Ashley, Amber, Ty, Alec and Andrew; 7 great-grandchildren: Kavin, Kale, Kwynn, Webb, Nellie, Bentley and Conrad; her sister Geraldine Klunder; her brother Derald and several nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the staff at Canyon Creek Memory Care, Dr. Severa and Compasses Hospice for her care the last 5 years.
Family will receive friends on Sunday, July 13, 2025 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Prairie County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Murn Park Playground Project; c/o Town of Terry or a charity of one's choice.