Loretta Doran Day, 85, of Great Falls, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Peace Hospice on Saturday, September 12, 2015.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Christ United Methodist Church in Great Falls, with Pastor Susan Otey officiating.

Loretta was born February 6, 1930 in Opheim, MT to Marcus and Aletta (Eliason) Tufte. She was raised in Opheim, Glasgow and Great Falls. Loretta graduated high school at the age of 16, from Great Falls High School in 1946. Shortly thereafter she began her studies at The College of Great Falls, becoming their youngest graduate at 19, obtaining a degree in education and psychology.

In 1950 she and Lloyd Smith were married, their union ended in 1952. Howard Trovatten and Loretta were married in 1953 in Great Falls, and their marriage ended in 1955.

Loretta and Dr. Michael Patrick Doran were married in 1959 in Great Falls, beginning a wonderful union in which they lived and worked together for twenty-four years. Each bringing two children into the marriage and together having four more children, they crafted a lasting legacy of love. During this time, she found her calling as a veterinary technician; she liked animals and they liked her. She and Pat co-owned the Great Falls Veterinary Service which she continued to own and operate for nearly 20 years following his passing. Her beloved husband passed away in 1983.

In 1985 Loretta married longtime family friend Frank “Paco” Day, they enjoyed music, traveling and many close friends sharing twenty-nine years together, before Paco’s passing in 2014.

In addition to her career and family, Loretta was a vivacious woman always keeping busy in the community. She was a Past-President and longtime member of many clubs including The Rainbow Garden Club – her flower garden brought her immense pride and joy, as she won many blue ribbons for their show and her skills arranging them. Her additional clubs included the MT Cowgirls Association, Cowbelles, Republican Woman, and she was a member of the Friendship Force. Her work with Preservation Cascade was one of her most passionate causes, she was the champion of the “Save the 10th Street Bridge” fund. Loretta sang in the Christ United Methodist Choir for over fifty years and regularly attended Bible Study Fellowship. Loretta made many lifelong friends in her various pursuits and she will be greatly missed.

During her free time she cherished spending time at the family ranch. She was an avid reader and was a fan of “Jeopardy,” “Wheel of Fortune,” and naturally, she was a word-search wiz! She also was an active member of the Peak, enjoying water aerobics classes.

Loretta is survived by; her daughters, Jan (Jerry) Hagen; Katy (Doug) Doran-Kuntz; her sons, Mike (Colleen) Doran; Dave (Sally) Doran; and Dan (Julie) Doran; sixteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. Her sisters, Geneva Van Horne and Sylvia Immel. Her daughter-in-law, Jan Smith. Sister-in-law, Andrea Greene. Brother-in-law, Michael Greene.

She was preceded in death by husbands Dr. Michael Patrick Doran and Frank “Paco” Day; her son, Brian Smith and two infant daughters.

Memorials in Loretta’s name are suggested to: Preservation Cascade, Inc. 1409 4th Ave. S. Great Falls, MT 59405. Great Falls Rescue Mission, 311 2nd Ave S. Great Falls, MT 59403.

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