Obituary: Diana Lee Graveley
Author: Family Of Diana Lee Graveley
Article Published: // Volume: Edition: August 31, 1940 – June 14, 2026
Diana Lee Graveley, 85, of the Helena Valley, formerly of Townsend, MT, passed away on June 14, 2026, in Helena, surrounded by the love of the family she built.
Diana was born on August 31, 1940, in Billings, MT to Jacob and Alice (Edgmond) Burkart, joining her older sister, Loretta June. The family lived near Pompey’s Pillar until 1942, when Jake and Alice purchased a ranch near Canyon Ferry, which would become the heart of Diana’s childhood.
Diana and her sister attended school in Helena, boarding or staying with friends during the week. Diana often said her least favorite day was Sunday, the day she had to leave the ranch behind and return to school. It’s no surprise she also hated leaving behind a certain neighbor boy who had caught her eye and would eventually steal her heart: Gary Graveley. We learned just how much when we found her diary last year. She was wonderfully coy when we tried to pry further, blushing every time.
After graduating from Helena High School in 1958, Diana moved to Billings with her cousin Myrna to attend secretarial school. With Gary off at university in Bozeman, the U.S. Postal Service got quite a workout, something we confirmed last year when we found a hope chest full of their letters. By the time Diana finished her schooling, that young man had finally popped the question.
Diana married Gary Graveley on December 20, 1958, in Townsend, where they made their first home. They later bought their first farm and ranch on Lower Confederate Road, just north of Townsend and a few miles from where they’d both grown up. There they began raising a family of five: Gordon, William, Kurt, Charmon, and Roxanna. Diana and Gary worked side by side building a thriving operation of cattle, horses, pigs, and chickens. They later purchased the Graveley LD Ranch where Gary himself had been raised, and the whole family kept building it together, long hours and all, with Diana as its heart and soul.
Diana could outwork even the best hired hands. When the outside chores were done, she’d come in and cook a wonderful meal, keep the house running, cuff an ear or two and break up a fight here or there, all while sewing the children’s clothes and crocheting afghans to pass the long winter evenings, her hands never idle. If she didn’t have a hook and thread in hand, she was likely churning butter. But Diana was happiest of all with her horses, especially the colts, and she was always a favorite among dogs and horses alike.
When they could find the time, Diana and Gary loved to travel. Las Vegas became a favorite spot for them as a couple and also with family, where they made lifelong friends who remain close to this day.
In 2000, they sold the farm and ranch and began a new chapter, buying 40 acres in the Helena Valley and becoming true snowbirds, flying off to Arizona each winter. In the summer of 2004, Diana and Gary set off together on one last great adventure to Alaska, a trip that would also be their last together, as Gary passed away during their travels.
Diana met that loss with the same strength she’d shown her whole life. Her family rallied around her, and in turn drew strength from her, as she began a new chapter still rich with family, friends, and even more travel, until her health eventually slowed her down.
Diana was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Gary. She is survived by her sons: Gordon of East Helena, MT; Bill (June) of Sun City, AZ; Kurt (Eunice) of Helena, MT. Daughters: Charmon (Randy) Hansen of Helena, MT, and Roxanna Brand of Melbourne, Australia. Grandchildren: David, Jim (Amy), Matt, Samantha (Ken), Nick (Allena), Zita Graveley; Trista (Dustin) Hoffman; Callum and Teaghan Brand; Collin Johnson and Trent Graveley; 9 great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Family and friends are warmly invited to come together to celebrate Diana’s life at her funeral Mass scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 29, 2026, at Our Lady of the Valley, 1502 Shirley Rd, Helena, MT.
Diana will be laid to rest beside Gary at Holy Cross Cemetery Townsend, MT. Please join us afterward at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Townsend, MT, for a reception to share stories, memories, and laughter in honor of this wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend.
Memorials in Diana’s name are suggested to the Holy Cross Cemetery, C/O Holy Cross Catholic Church101 S. Walnut Street Townsend, Montana 59644.
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