Larae FANT

1937 - 2022

Our beloved LaRae Janice Fant of Spokane, WA passed away on December 31, 2022, due to complications of Alzheimer's. LaRae was born on March 5, 1937, to Verla and Larry Tipke.

LaRae grew up in Spokane, WA attending Cooper Elementary and Rogers High School. She was quite athletic and enjoyed playing sports - Baseball being her favorite. She met Robert Brandley - fell in love - and married in November of 1954. They had their first child, Betty Jo shortly after, followed by Patti, Nancy, and then Michael. LaRae later married Gene (Bobby) Fant and helped raise two of his children - Ray and Cheri.

LaRae was a loving mother and wife. Both she and her husband Robert had large families, so the family get together s were very well attended, and which we all enjoyed them very much. LaRae had various jobs such as a waitress, including The Highland House and The Bend, where her mother Verla worked as well, and several other restaurants. On occasion, she would work at the Spokane International Speedway, which was managed by her father Larry Tipke. Sometimes we would go to the races when she was working, which was always a thrill. She also worked for a time with her cousin Janet at Servpro and worked at Pyrotek as a sewer until her retirement.

LaRae's favorite thing to do, other than swooning over newborn babies, was to the garden. When visiting her at her home, more often than not, you'd find her in the yard gardening.

LaRae was preceded in death by her mother Verla, her father Larry, her brother Jim, sister Judy, husbands Robert, and Gene, and her daughter Nancy. LaRae is survived by her children Betty Jo Leach and her husband John, Patti Seese and her husband David, and Michael Brandley and his wife Dee Ann. Siblings Shirley Hoon, and her husband Tom, JoAnne Comer, and her husband Tim. LaRae had several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews - not to mention a large number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws. She had a great many friends as well. LaRae loved family and friends alike dearly and all loved her greatly too.

A celebration of life service is in the planning and will be announced to family and friends as soon as we have a firm date and location. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Alzheimer's Association or Hospice of Spokane.