Lillian Elaine Davis

1941 - 2026

Lillian Elaine Davis

March 20, 1941 - January 1, 2026

St Ignatius – Lillian Elaine "Tudi" Davis, 85, longtime Missoula resident, passed away at the Pines of Mission in St. Ignatius on New Years Day after a long battle of Alzheimer's.

Born on the first day of Spring, March 20, 1941 in Missoula to Jacob & Hilda (Treichel) Ochsner, the third of four children. She grew up in Missoula and graduated from Missoula County High School. She married Gerald Davis and lived in Butte for a few years. They eventually divorced and Lillian returned to Missoula with two children in tow. Life was not always easy for Lillian. Shortly after returning to Missoula, an apartment fire wiped out all their possessions, including her beloved piano. Despite the hardships, Lillian never lost her faith. She wasn't raised in the church, but came to her belief in God at an early age and held firm throughout her life. She was musically talented and sang and played at many church events. At every wedding she played, she was gifted a silk corsage, and after a few years, she had a wall plaque covered with corsages. She loved her piano and played every day until her hands finally gave out. Lillian worked throughout her life at notable places such as WestMont Tractor, Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, Adult Education, and she eventually retired from Hellgate High School.

She is preceded in death by her brothers, Richard and William; first husband, Gerry; their daughter, Jill; and her best friend/cousin, Harriet Calcaterra.

She leaves behind her son, Brian; grandchildren, Nathan and Adrian Langendoerfer; great-grandchild, Michaela; a sister, Evelyn Fehr, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A dedication for Lillian will be held at Mission Valley United Methodist Church on Sunday, January 10th at 9:30 a.m. A tree will be planted in the Spring as a living memorial. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: MVUMC c/o Lillian Davis memorial fund.