Jessie "Lenore" Rogers

Lenore passed away December 30, 2025, at the age of 87.  She was born September 21, 1938, in Billings, Montana, to C. Ray Roan and Dorothy Gemmill Roan.  Lenore was the 5th of 8 children, and the first of her siblings to be born in a hospital.  For the first 13 years of her life, she was raised up Tullock Creek on the Roan homestead.  In 1951, Ray and Dorothy bought an island in the Yellowstone River, west of Custer, and moved the family there from Tullock Creek.

Don Rogers and Lenore were married on November 22, 1954.  To this union, two children were born: Kim Wright and Justin Rogers.  Don and Lenore spent many years farming and ranching in the Custer and Sarpy Creek areas of Montana. Lenore was a skilled cattleman and horseman and worked long, hard days alongside the men, often outworking many of them!

When Don and Lenore quit ranching, they moved to Custer, Montana.  Lenore became highly involved in the community by serving on the Junction City Memorial Park board, the election board, the community church, and other local organizations.  Lenore drove bus for the Custer School District and worked in the Custer school lunchroom. She received recognition for 19 years of service to the Custer Public School and recognition for her dedication to the Custer community for her ongoing efforts in the historical preservation of the area.  

She was a wonderful candy maker and baker!  Her children remember her saying that growing up her interest was in the outdoors and being with the livestock, so when her and Don got married, they ate many an-easy-to-prepare-meal of hot dogs until she taught herself more advanced cooking skills!  They note she surely had those skills perfected by the time they came along!  She showed her love for family and friends through her baking, cooking, and sewing. She loved to make quilts, many of which were given to family and community area newborns, and also many were donated to local fundraisers, women’s shelters, and the Billings hospitals’ pediatric wards. Lenore was also an accomplished leather worker, producing beautiful tooled leather clocks, belts, wallets, and checkbook covers.

Lenore is survived by Kim [Stu], Justin, 2 brothers Jack (Margo) Roan and Tom Roan, 1 sister Dianne (Kenny) Kuntz,  4 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by her husband, both parents, and 4 brothers.  

Memorials may be made to the Junction City Memorial Park or the Custer Friendly Circle.

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