Rayleen Doris Durnam, age 80, of Butte, Montana

A beloved daughter, sister, mother and grandmother, Rayleen Doris Durnam passed away on March 23, 2023, at Copper Ridge Health and Rehab Center where she had been a long-time resident. She was born in Oakland, California on February 7, 1943, to Raymond Doris and Alva (Tebay) Doris. They relocated to Whitehall, Montana when Rayleen was one or two years old. She graduated from Whitehall High School where she competed in state musical festivals with her beautiful soprano voice, receiving many superior ratings. She was district song leader for FHA, was a Thespian, having a love for drama and theatre, and was in Order of the Rainbow. Rayleen sang at many weddings, funerals, and church functions. She married Jack Durnam on March 22, 1964, at Grand Avenue Christian Church in Bozeman and they were blessed with three daughters. Jack and Rayleen owned the Gambles hardware store where Rayleen worked until she became ill. Her parents Ray and Alva became her caregivers and provided her with loving and wonderful care for many years until their passing.

Growing up in Whitehall, Rayleen loved horses and kitty cats. On the Tebay ranch she rode Star and old Buck along with riding her horse, Peggy. She enjoyed listening to the music hits of her time, ice skating in the winter, and being with her friends. She was a conscientious student, taking vocal lessons from Phyllis Wolfe in Butte, receiving a music scholarship to Montana State University, graduating from Caroline Leonetti School of Charm and Modeling in Hollywood and IBM School in Los Angeles. As a wife and mother, she loved her family, and she was a lover of God, having been baptized with her father at the old Shortridge Memorial Christian Church in Butte. Rayleen was a life-long member of First Christian Church in Whitehall where she so often sang sacred solos.

Rayleen was preceded in death by her mother and father Raymond and Alva Doris. She is survived by her daughters, Jaclynn Neumann (Daniel), Raelynn Durnam and Edeane (Jared) Lawson, her grandchildren Tanner Neumann (Bobbi), Danika Kayser (Gunnar), Trevor Neumann and Chase Lawson and great grandchildren Grayson and Lainey Neumann. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Fred and Pat Dorisse, her nieces and nephew Karalee (Bill) Graves, Michelle Dorisse and Paul (Megan) Dorisse, and their children. Cousins surviving are Patty Miksell, Larry Bondes, Norman (Michelle) Tebay, Will (Lynn) Tebay, Shirley Hungerford, and Dick Dorisse (Morry).

Though most of her life was filled with health limitations, she always remained positive, had a smile on her face and loved to make people laugh. Rayleen’s family would like to thank the staff at Copper Ridge for the wonderful care she received over the years she was a resident. The time and place of a service will be announced at a later date.

Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Rayleen.

Axelson Funeral and Cremation Service has been privileged to care for Rayleen and her family.

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