Kay (Donna Mae) Lasater

Kay (Donna Mae) Lasater, 92 of Ryegate, Montana, passed into the arms of her Savior peacefully in the early morning at her home on April 14, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Mom was born on January 11, 1933, in Rapid City, South Dakota, the second of seven children. Her dad, Earl, died when Mom was only 15 years old, leaving her mother, Josephine, alone to raise the children. Mom was instrumental in helping raise her siblings, and her lifelong career of hard work and helping others was off to a good start.

Mom met the love of her life, a handsome logger, Albert Lasater, who had returned from his overseas naval service during World War II. They were united in marriage in Kellogg, Idaho, on June 20, 1950. Soon after, they moved to Dad’s family homestead near Ekalaka, Montana, where Earl was born in 1952, Mary in 1954, and Nora in 1955. Albert and Kay moved to Ryegate, Montana, in 1958, where Paul was born in 1961. Al and Kay raised their family North of Ryegate, and both were active in the community. In view of the fact that Mom completed only two years of high school before her marriage to Dad, and realizing the value of a High School diploma, Mom returned to high school in 1967 and received her diploma from Ryegate in 1968. Mom then earned her Associate’s degree in computer programming.

Mom began cooking at the Ryegate Public School in 1973; she thoroughly enjoyed this position until retiring in 1995. When the Ryegate Senior Center was formed in 1977, Mom became their first cook; meals were served on Saturdays because Mom was not free during the week. After retiring as the cook, she remained active in the Center until resigning as Co-Director in 2023. After retirement, Albert and Kay thoroughly enjoyed traveling to visit their children and were always willing to help with any projects the children were working on. One of their most fun endeavors was being able to build a dwelling for their daughter Mary in Spokane.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Richard Dennis, Robert James (Jim) Rishor, Patrick Rishor, Jerry Paul Rishor, Michael Rishor, and her beloved Albert, with whom she enjoyed 69 wonderful years of marriage before Dad died in 2019.

Kay is survived by her children Earl (Jeanie) of Kuna, ID; Mary Jo Jones of Ryegate, MT; Nora (Bryce) Phelps of Billings, MT; and Paul (Julie)Lasater of Shepherd MT; her sister Cynthia Frazier of Clarksville, TN; 6grandchildren Dason (Tess) Lasater, Damie Lasater of Boise ID, Justen(Wynne) of Riverton WY, Eugene Pitts Lasater of Shepherd MT; Jake(Ashleigh) of Billings MT; Christina (Chris) Gomer of Billings MT; 11great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private memorial mass will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in St. Mathias Catholic Church in Ryegate with committal following in the Ryegate Catholic Cemetery. Please attend a light-hearted and fun celebration of life complete with storytelling (eat, drink, and be merry) luncheon at the Golden Valley Senior Center, 205 3rd Avenue West, Ryegate, MT., immediately following. Come at 12:30 and plan on sharing.

Memorials may be sent to the Golden Valley Senior Center, P.O. Box 212, St. Mathias Alter Society (Rectory), Ryegate Memorial Committee (Funeral luncheons), Ryegate Catholic Cemetery Maintenance Committee, Ryegate Ambulance Service, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Perkins Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.perkinsfuneralandcremation.com