CarlaSue Ann Chapman-Launes, of Butte, Montana, passed away peacefully on April 8th, 2023. She was born on March 20th, 1982, as the 2nd of 3 children to Dorothy (Pelzman) and George Michael Chapman on March 20th, 1982, in Butte.
In Carla’s education, she attended Longfellow, East Middle School, and Butte High, class of 2000.
CarlaSue was a dedicated worker at every job she held, especially being a mom! From working in the Longfellow school lunch program where CarlaSue first met Mike’s mom Gloria as a lunch lady, to working at Continental Gardens where she met Mike’s cousin Debra Ouellette, who played match maker for the two, and on to working at the Springs, and Butte Care & Rehab, until becoming a stay-at-home mom.
CarlaSue and Mike had jobs take them apart. She would later meet Zach Schelin and together they had their children Allie, Alex, and Abbie, though the union wasn’t to last. They parted ways and were on friendly terms for the kids in 2016.
By chance in 2016, CarlaSue and Michael Launes were to be reunited and became the soulmates they were meant to be, only to be separated by CarlaSue’s medical stays in the Anaconda and Billings hospitals.
CarlaSue loved hosting dinners and barbeques, getting Mike to do the cooking as CarlaSue loved doing the hosting, and made sure no one went home without being stuffed.
CarlaSue was an active mom in her kids lives, be it in school fundraising, programs, plays, or sports, with Abbie in Special Olympics.
She loved going on trips with Mike and her kids to go swimming and soaking in all the hot springs in the area, and it was a welcomed opportunity for CarlaSue to get in some bargain shopping, which was a skill she had like no other. She loved trips to Phillipsburg to go to the Sweet Palace for candy, to pan for sapphires, and Virginia City for the old west photos. She loved her Tuesday Breakfast Club time at the Oasis with Mike, Arline, Terry, and whoever CarlaSue would invite to join in. She loved her Bingo time and playing 5 with Mike, Arline Schelin, and Mike’s good friend Joe Gibson.
CarlaSue loved being a facilitator with Butte’s Circle of Parents and was an inspiration for it starting not only in Butte, but in the state of Montana, as a support group for parents with children with special needs. Thank you Heather Stenson for making it possible.
CarlaSue is preceded in death by her parents; great grandma Arline Schelin; Mike’s Parents Fred & Gloria Launes; her grandma, Doris Pelzman; foster mom, “Grandma” Robin Erickson, and Randy Erickson who was a big brother to her; aunts and uncles Frank Pelzman Sr., Marion Louise Chapman, Sally Bysecker, Florance Tandberg, Arthur Chapman, and Charles Chapman; Mike’s uncles, Virgil, Tex, Bruce, and David Smeltzer, Mike’s aunts, Ellen, Audrey, Gail, and Susan Melchose-Smeltzer, who welcomed CarlaSue into the family and bonded until Susan’s passing.
She is survived by her three children, Allie, Alex, and Abbie Schelin; her fiancé and soulmate Michael Launes; sisters Sarah Chapman of Helena, MT, Lindsay Chapman of Omaha, NE; and nieces & nephews Seth, AnnaLynn, Savannah, Dillon, Anthony, and Hope; aunts & uncles Tammie & Steve Engebrecht of Helena, MT, Vickie Mackie of Butte, Ron Pelzman of Butte, Sherry Smythe, and Roberta “Bobbie” Duime; brother-in-law Tony Launes of Butte; foster family Eve Breen Lonnie, Jody Erickson, Britney Erickson of Helena, MT, Dillon & Becca Erickson and baby Renae of Aberdeen, SD; Mike’s uncles Bob and Vance (Alice) of Leeds, ND, and all of his cousins; and ex-husband Zach Schelin and his extended family.
A special shout to close friends of CarlaSue, Bridgette and Doug Raybould and kids, who like her own kids to CarlaSue, and especially Miss Parker, and Terry Linton and family.
Thank you and gratitude to the doctors and nursing staff of Anaconda Community Hospital, Billings Clinic Cancer Care Center, and Dr. Hueftle and staff for CarlaSue’s care, and to Mike’s friends at McGree Trucking and Renz-Aware for stepping up and giving Mike & CarlaSue the time to be together at the end, and to Knight & Dehood Law Firm of Anaconda for all of their help.
Carla’s special message:
Goodbye only for a moment, I loved everyone!
To leave a condolence or share a memory of CarlaSue, please visit below.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for CarlaSue and her family.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Monday April 17, 2023
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
1351 Mt. Highland Dr.
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Monday April 17, 2023
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
1351 Mt. Highland Dr.
Butte, Montana 59701
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Julie Yelsa says
I am in complete shock. Carla was the sweetest and kindness soul. My deepest condolences to Mike and the family. She will be missed 😢 💔
Tammie Engebrecht says
You were such a sweet little girl and special niece. I love you and will miss getting to visit with you. I know you are enjoying your wonderful reunion with all of our family who have passed. I look forward to seeing your smile again. Give everyone a hug for me.
Barb Fitzpatrick says
CarlaSue
I hope you knew how many lives you have truly touched! You brought so many people from different stages in their lives together to form bonds they will have with each other forever, and not in just our small community but in the state of MT. You defiantly had a positive impact on my life, and I will surely miss your smiling face and positive personality❤️
Dawn Immonen says
💗I will miss you Carla, always in my heart and thoughts. I’m very saddened of your passing. 🥲
I’ll never forget that we went to Butte High School and went to math class together, and shared memories that will not be forgotten. Leaving so soon at a young age and leaving your loved ones is very devastating, I know that we all will see you again. 🙏 May God be with you now until you reunite with your loved ones. Your friend always, Dawn 💗
angel benoit says
The moment I found out you were sick, my heart was just broken…. We grew up for many years like sisters, till you went to live with your foster grandmother… We later on in life found each other, because you are my cousin no matter what, we got close for awhile again, then how a falling out… I do love you carlsue and I will never forget you… Say hi to our family when you get home…
Tracey Foley says
Carla…. You were one of the kindest women I have known and such an amazing mom! Praying for all of you Mike and kids!
Erica Hunt says
Carla you will be greatly missed. You were an amazing mother to the kiddos and you were always so supportive of everything. Keep watching down on mike and the kids and we will be there to help in anyway we can.
Dr White says
To a kind friend and the best mother I knew. I always loved visiting with you. You will be missed by all but especially me on the days I return to the clinic. You were a positive force in all our lives. May your kindness live on.
Tammy Jense says
Carla Sue
You were the kindest, greatest Mom and most thoughtful person I was blessed to know. You loved your children and Mike with all your heart. My condolences and prayers to your family and friends.
Jeremiah LeCoure says
Carla you were always a friend from grade school at Longfellow to our last days at Butte High!! Always saying hello when and where ever we passed!! My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends!! Jeremiah.
Debbie Richards says
I am so sorry! Carla Sue loved her children and was always there for them!!!! She had a heart of gold, always doing for others!!! She will be so missed!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you all!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Kimberly Gollinger says
Mike, my deepest sympathy to you and Carla Sues children and family. She was an angel here on earth and is now and heaven such a sweet girl.
Allie/Thoma says
Mom, you were an amazing mother. I wish we could have gotten more time together. You’ll never get to see me walk the stage and graduate. I think about you everyday and wonder how life would be right now if you were still around. We all love you mom, Abbie, Alex and I all do. I think about all the stuff you never got to see me do and that you’ll never get to see me do. Like me driving for the first time, getting a license, going to college. All of it. You’ll never get to see me get my first boyfriend or anything. I love and miss you everyday mom. I’m still sticking to the promise I made you that I’ll take care of Abbie forever.