Lana M. Darnell

Lana Marie Darnell

December 8, 1949 – May 20, 2026

Lana Marie Darnell, 76, went home to be with the Lord after passing away peacefully on May 20, 2026, at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital Long-Term Care Unit in Plains, Montana.

Lana was born on December 8, 1949, in Miles City, Montana, to her loving parents, Wesley Richard Lausch and Claudia Lausch (Rieger). As a child, her family moved to Cyr, Montana, and she later spent the majority of her adult life living in the Missoula area.

Committed to learning and charting her own path, she attended the Vo-Tech School in Missoula, where she earned her degree in computers. Lana was a woman of many talents who brought a dedicated work ethic to everything she did. Throughout her life, she worked in a wide variety of places that reflected her diverse skills and independent spirit, ranging from her creative side in flower shops and arts and crafts, to driving trucks. Most of all, Lana found true joy in working with her hands and nurturing her home; she deeply enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, and carving.

A naturally warm, witty, and quirky soul, Lana genuinely loved meeting new people and socializing wherever she went. She had a wonderful gift for storytelling and cherished reminiscing on memories with friends and family, keeping the past alive through her shared stories.

Above all, Lana’s greatest pride and joy in life was her son, Wesley Peter Darnell. She poured her heart into raising him as a single mother until his teenage years, when life brought a wonderful new chapter. Lana met Ken Estep, and the two were later married, sharing their lives together. Through her relationships, Lana was also blessed with two stepsons, Robert Darnell and Doug Estep, whom she cherished deeply.

In 2018, Wes married the love of his life, Kate, bringing a beautiful new union to the family and giving Lana her three precious granddaughters. She was deeply proud of her granddaughters, Charlie, Blake, and Dylan, and she spent the last part of her life doting over them. Lana took immense pride in her family. She spoke often and fondly of her siblings and their families, Myrna (Ewalt), Jerry (Linda), Brenda (Robert), Doug (Libby), Val (Gayle) and Jade, whose presence and energy so often filled her home with warmth and life.

Lana was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ken, her daughter Katilyn (at birth), brother Jerry and sisters Myrna and Brenda.

A celebration of Lana's life will be held on July 11, 2026, at the Alberton Community Church at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Jason Tonn officiating. A lunch will follow the service, where family and friends are welcome to gather, share a meal, and continue celebrating her memory.