Karen Ann LaVelle

Karen Ann LaVelle (Melby) was the proud daughter of two teachers, a loving wife and mother to five children, a grandmother to twenty-two grandchildren and a great-grandma to fourteen great-grandchildren. Mom served as a registered nurse in many capacities including supervisor at St. Pat's in Missoula, MT and eventually retired as a home health care nurse in Spokane, WA. She was a creative entrepreneur who built a doll pattern business, which she named Rose County, and created patterns for primitive dolls that are in use to this day. Mom was also a talented dancer. She recently shared about her trip to Los Angeles at the age of 14 to take lessons from Arthur Murray, and was even invited to dance a waltz with Arthur Murray himself. Her love for dance inspired the Butte Ballet Academy, where in the 1970's she taught local children the art of tap dance, ballet, modern, and jazz. She choreographed many well received recitals where her students showcased their talent as well as her ability to teach and inspire the young community. Mom was a well-versed and creative artist, upon entering her home you were met with many examples of her artistry. Her keen eye for color, for texture, for a sense of movement and heart for diverse art mediums and subjects were on display. Her style, class and poise were carried into everything she ventured into, always looking for the most current fashion trend using vintage clothing, home restoration and garden design. Mom loved anything that involved historical elements to create a home for her family. Antiques, family heirlooms, uniquities, and period items were her ornaments of choice.
Karen was the oldest of five children born to Ruth and Tip Melby in Lyman, Wyoming on April 25, 1939. She lived the first years of her life on a sheep ranch until 1947 when her folks moved to Missoula, MT in order to provide educational opportunities for her as well as her siblings. Mom continued through the Missoula school system, and attended Montana State receiving her nursing degree. While completing her residency in Butte, she met Tom LaVelle, whom she married in 1960 and celebrated 47 years of marriage until his death in 2007. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Jean and Janice, and her husband. She leaves behind five children, Diane (Kip) Hamilton, Beth Stenslie, Michael (Tina) LaVelle, Steven (Keiko) LaVelle, and David (Kristenea) LaVelle. She also leaves behind twenty-two grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, two brothers, Bill (Carol) Melby and Pat (Beda) Melby, a brother-in-law, Georg Mauer, many cousins and several nieces and nephews.
Mom danced into heaven with Jesus on the morning of October 25, 2025. She loved her family, her late husband, her home, friends and her community.
With heartfelt gratitude to Steve, Keiko, Beth, Cathy and Edward, for the kindness and love you poured out for Mom. And to the staff at CCNW, thank you for your compassionate care of Mom in her last year.
A celebration of Mom’s life will be held on her beloved Spokane property in the spring of 2026.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Karen Ann LaVelle, please visit our flower store.