Danelle A. "Dani" Desjarlais

Dani passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2005, at her home, from complications due to breast cancer. She fought the disease with courage for 16 years and always held her head up high.

Dani was born on Sept. 24, 1955, to Thor and Alma Hoving in Williston, N.D. She was raised on the family farm south of Wheelock, N.D., and attended school in Wheelock and Williston. Typical of Dani, always striving to be the best she could be, she graduated in the Honor Group of her class in 1973.

"Dani did me the honor of marrying me on July 7, 1973, in Wheelock. Following the loss of our first son, James Daniel, in 1974, we moved to Billings, where we have lived since. Dani went to work as a temp at Long Construction (JTL Group). She put everything she had into her job and worked her way up to Office Manager and a Corporate Officer.

"On Oct. 18, 1977, we had another son, Michael James, whom she loved very much. Mike was her pride and joy. She also had the task of raising me. She was a stable force in our home. Mike and I will eternally be grateful for having had her in our lives. She taught us many valuable lessons. We love you and will miss you. Good-bye, Dani, we love you."

In 1993, Dani was one of the first patients to survive a breast cancer stem cell transplant at the Fred Hutchinson Clinic in Seattle. Later, she took pride in being part of a vaccine research study at the University of Washington. For six months, she would fly to Seattle weekly in the morning, take the bus to the University and come home that night. Several summers, she and her friends took part in the Susan G. Komen Relay For Life in Helena. Dani appreciated her medical doctors in Seattle, and also Dr. Marchello, and all the staff at Hematology and Oncology in Billings.

Dani lived her life to the fullest; she had many interests and hobbies. She crocheted afghans for most of her family members. She loved spending weekends in the mountains. She has always had pets, and loved her dog, Sadie, and cats Sammy and Maggie.

She is preceded in death by her son, James Daniel; her parents, Thor and Alma Hoving; her nephew, Jon Bohnsak; her mother-in-law, Betty Desjarlais; and numerous aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her husband Jim; and son Mike; her sister, Andrea (Joel) Long, and their sons and their families, Mack (Karen, Nathan and Amber); Joel (Judith) and Ralph; her sister, Lana (George) Loranger and their children, Loni (Ed, Daniel and Leanne) and David (Sharon); sister-in-law Cheryl (Clyde) Bohnsack and their son, Jason; brother-in-law Dan (Rita) Desjarlais and their children Jared and Kali; sister-in-law Laurel Desjarlais; and parents-in-law, Jim and Pat Desjarlais.

She is also survived by her extended family at JTL Group: Pam, Cheryl, Dianna, Kelly, Diane, Janet, Terry, Earl, Debbie, Bernie, Kevin and every other person she ever worked with at JTL Group.

The family prefers memorials to Dani's favorite local charities, Family Services, 1824 First Ave. N., Billings, MT 59101 or the Montana Rescue Mission, 2822 Minnesota Ave., Billings, MT 59101.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 18, at 10:30 a.m. at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4125 Grand Ave. Following the funeral, a luncheon will be served at 730 Bluegrass Place. Visitation will take place from 12 noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary and again on Monday at the church one hour prior to services. Cremation will follow services and the urn will be placed on her mother's grave at Hillside Memory Gardens in Williston at a later date.

Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.