Penny Rae Mitchell, 64, formerly of Helena, Mont., died peacefully after a long battle with cancer Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson in the company of her daughter. Penny’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Shannon Lucht as the celebrant. Inurnment will take place in Helena, Mont. Visitation will be on Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Ron Keller presiding.
She was born on September 21, 1951 to Herbert Lay Sr. and Constance Joan West in Helena, Mont. Penny loved being outdoors in Western Montana camping and fishing with friends and family. She had a green thumb and could make ‘anything grow’.
She is survived by John Cron, Richard Mitchell, Gar Wong; her daughter Trasa Diem (John); brothers Herb Lay, Jr. (Marcy), Earl O’Leary (Kimmer); sister Tammy Smith (Brian); grandchildren Noah, Phoebe, Sunshine and Albert Diem, and Hunter and Isaiah Wasson. She is preceded in death by her daughter Heather Mitchell Wasson; her parents Earl ‘Coconut’ and Connie O’Leary; her brother Rodney Lay; and sister Debbie Sterle.
