Montana Lawyer April/May 2025

IN MEMORIAM

Jerry LaFountain It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jerry LaFountain, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, who lost his courageous bat tle with cancer on March 17, 2025, in Billings, Montana. Born on June 27, 1946, in Lewistown, Montana, to Francis and Barbara La Fountain, Jerry was the third of ten children. Jerry began his education at St. Leo’s

Lisa Ann Mecklenberg was born looking for fun and adventure on July 12, 1966, the youngest of five children of Rodney and Carrie Ann Mecklenberg. On May 27, 2024, she died too young and with so much left to do after a fearless roller coaster battle with metastatic breast cancer. Lisa was born in Alexandria, MN, and spent her early years in

Jerry LaFountain

Lisa Ann Mecklenberg

in Lewistown. He quit high school to help support his large family. In November 1965 he joined the US Army. While waiting as an O.C.S candidate and in basic training and S.I.T. he took GED classes. Jerry volunteered for duty in Vietnam in May 1967, serving alongside his younger brother, Mel, and earning a Purple Heart for his bravery. After returning home, Jerry pursued his passion for law, graduating from Glendale College of Law in 1978. He established a successful law practice and partnered with his cousin, Robert La Fountain. Jerry was deeply committed to serving his community, representing the Fort Peck Indian Tribe and earning the honor of being adopted by the Spotted Bird Family, receiving the name Wa Wo Kiya Mani, meaning “Helps his people.” He was also bestowed with a headdress and a Red Feather. Following his retirement from law due to PTSD-related issues, Jerry continued to serve others by assisting veterans with their VA claims pro bono. His leadership as commander of the Purple Heart Chapter 348 in Billings was marked by his efforts to build the Purple Heart Memorial on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn, a testament to his commitment to honoring those who served. Jerry LaFountain leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and unwavering support for his family and community. He is survived by his devoted wife, Kathy; his children, Shirley and Gerald; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his siblings, who will forever cherish the memories of his laugh ter, kindness, and indomitable spirit. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Purple Heart Chapter 348 in Jerry’s memory..

Kensington, MN before her family moved north to Lake Ada near Pine River, MN. From a young age and throughout her life, Lisa excelled academically and was a talented multi-sport athlete. After childhood, high school (Backus HS - 1984), and college (B.A. from Concordia College - 1988) in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” she spread her wings and moved away for jobs and to earn advanced degrees (Juris Doctor from the Univ. of North Dakota School of Law – 1996, and Master of Library and Information Science from the Univ. of Washington - 1997), eventually landing in Helena, MT in 1997. Soon there after, she met her future husband while competing in an adult soccer game. Their match continued for the next 25 years. Lisa lived in Helena, MT for many years, working for the Montana Supreme Court and Montana Legislature as a staff attorney, Legislative Librarian for Montana, and State Law Librarian of Montana. In 2010, she and her family moved to Missoula, MT, where Lisa’s work experience included serving as Executive Director of the Montana Innocence Project, an organization working to exonerate the wrongfully convicted from prison. Most recently Lisa was an attorney at Montana Elder Law, assisting people with their estate planning needs. Despite the last two years of seemingly never-ending treatments, surgeries, scans, and medical appointments, Lisa never stopped hoping and fighting, never stopped work ing and volunteering, and never stopped cheering for her kids. She persevered in the face of persistent cancer-induced pain and frustration. Lisa was ever so grateful for the caring and skilled doctors, nurses, and staff at the Montana Cancer Center at Providence St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula.

Memorial submissions The Montana Lawyer will publish memorials of State Bar of Montana members at no charge. Please email submissions to montanalawyer@montanabar.org using the subject line “Memorial.” Memorial submissions are subject to editing.

APRIL-MAY 2025

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