Lynn Severance

Nov. 9, 1938 – Feb. 8, 2021

On Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, Lynn Severance, devoted husband and father of two children, went home to be with the Lord at age 82.  

Lynn was born on Nov. 9, 1938, in Sidney, Mont., to Lynn and Marjorie Severance. Lynn's family moved to Greybull when he was in the second grade and he graduated from high school in 1956.  Lynn's father was editor/publisher of the Greybull Standard for many years.  

Lynn married Sharon La Farge in November of 1958 and enjoyed 58 years of marriage before Sharon passed away in February of 2016.  They raised their two children together, Scott and Sharolyn, in Red Lodge, Mont.  When their children graduated and moved away, they too decided to chase new dreams. 

They moved to Las Vegas in 1986 and both took teaching jobs again.  Sharon and Lynn both missed Montana and decided to return to build a summer home together in Sheridan after they retired.  Lynn and Sharon lived part of the year in Sheridan and part of the year in New River, Ariz., until Sharon passed away.  Lynn married the second love of his life in 2019 and he and Diane enjoyed the snowbird life between Arizona and Montana as well.

Lynn Severance was a jack of all trades and his energetic and gregarious spirit led to a long and varied career.  After graduating from Colorado State College in August of 1960,  he became a beloved and creative sixth-grade school teacher.   Years later, he chose to use his financial expertise as a stock broker at Piper, Jeffrey and Hopwood in Billings, Mont.  When his entrepreneurial spirit prompted him to move on from there, he began building and remodeling houses, opened his own car leasing company, started a portable video rental chain and chased any additional sales opportunities he could dream up.  He eventually returned to teaching and finally "retired" to Arizona.

Even in retirement, he remodeled houses, built a home in Montana, managed a bluegrass band in which Sharon was a member, and helped his children with their home remodeling projects, all while travelling extensively.

He married Diane six months after they met when he realized he had found another soulmate who could travel and enjoy his passion for music. She immediately adopted his lifestyle and family.  They travelled to bluegrass festivals, hosted friends and family in their homes in Arizona and Montana, remodeled houses in Spring Valley, and dreamt of new adventures together right to the end.  

Lynn never met a stranger.  His gregarious nature enhanced his love for travel, reading, music, teaching and making new friends.   His adventurous spirit, his fearlessness and his never-ending ambition were a blessing to all who knew and loved him.

Due to the “snowbird” lifestyle” and friends in different parts of the U.S., a second memorial service will be held June 26 in Sheridan, Mont.  Details to follow.  For more information, please feel free to contact Lynn's daughter at Sharolyn.graves1@gmail.com as the time draws closer.