Bolder (Rocky) Lanue Lanier
In the afternoon of February 28, 2024, Bolder (Rocky) Lanier passed away at St. Peter’s Health in Helena, MT as the result of a fall. Rocky was born March 25, 1939, in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. He was the son of the late William Roy and Ethel Dale Johnson Lanier.
Rocky and his siblings grew up in North Carolina. He graduated from West Edgecombe High School in Edgecombe County (near Rocky Mount, North Carolina) and then joined the United States Air Force where he was stationed at Malmstrom AFB, in Great Falls, MT. It was during this time that Rocky met the love of life, Nancy Jo Kiszczak. Nancy was attending the Columbus Hospital School of Nursing while Rocky was working at Columbus Hospital.
In addition to being retired from the Air Force, Rocky had been a member of the Montana Army Reserve from 1969 to 1980 and then the Montana Air National Guard from 1980 to 1999. In 1999, he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant.
Rocky’s career in the medical field was quite the journey as it spanned more than 50 years with over three decades at Columbus Hospital in Great Falls and another two decades at St. Peter’s Health in Helena. It is believed that in the1960’s Rocky was the first Inhalation Therapist in the state of Montana and then later, one of the first Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in Montana. Some referred to him as the “Grandfather of Respiratory”. His medical expertise was also utilized by his time in both the Montana Army Reserve and the Montana Air National Guard. We can only imagine the number of lives that were touched during Rocky’s career.
Some of his positions included: hospital orderly, Inhalation Therapist, respiratory tech, RRT, Respiratory & Inhalation Department Head, EMT, EMT Instructor, Basic Life Support Instructor, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor. He also assisted in teaching Respiratory Tech classes.
While working and having four children with Nancy, Rocky also attended the College of Great Falls. He ended up being only one or two classes short in getting a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry.
Rocky and Nancy were very supportive parents. Rocky was active in Little League, first as a coach and then as a board member for Upper Southside Little League in Great Falls. Nancy enjoyed being the scorekeeper for the teams that Rocky coached. Later, when Ted was a member of the Great Falls Electrics, Rocky became a board member for the Great Falls Electrics and stayed on after Ted moved on from playing.
With Bill, Mike and Ted all joining cub scouts, Nancy became a Den Mother and Rocky became the Cubmaster for Pack 7 and then later Rocky held various leadership positions in Troop 23 including Scoutmaster. In 1980, Rocky was named the Lewis & Clark District Scoutmaster of the year. He continued in the scouting program for nearly 10 years after his three boys had finished. Rocky and Nancy were very proud that Bill, Mike, and Ted are Eagle Scouts along with two of their grandchildren (Kade and Kougar).
Rocky was very active in the Great Falls and Helena communities for many years including, American Heart Association and the American Lung Association. In the 1970’s, the city of Great Falls was restructuring their form of government. Rocky took the opportunity and ran an unsuccessful campaign for City Commissioner.
Later in life, Rocky’s passion was The Fraternal Order of Eagles. This was fitting as the motto of the Fraternal Order of Eagles is “People Helping People” and that is what Rocky did his entire life. He was a proud member of the East Helena Aerie #4040 and the Great Falls Aerie #14. In 2018, Rocky was the State Eagles President and he and Nancy loved touring and visiting all the Aeries in the state. He proudly raised money during that time for the Montana Hope Project.
After Nancy passed, Tami was persistent in that Rocky needed a companion. With that, Tami and Brooke helped him find “Moose”. Moose was Rocky’s dog and the two were perfect companions taking care of one another.
Rocky was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Jo Kiszczak Lanier, his parents William Roy and Ethel Johnson Lanier, and his bothers William Richard Lanier and Wayne Lanier.
Rocky is survived by his children: Bill of Havre, Mike of Great Falls, Ted (Heather) of Helena, and Tami (Craig) Hanson of Montana City. Additional surviving family members include Bill’s children Kade, Raven and Kougar; Ted’s children: TJ, Cooper and Brooke, and Heather’s children Carlin and Chloe. Also surviving are Rocky’s four sisters: Jeannette Lanier, Theresa Sykes (Gene), Faye Brendle, and Kaye Eisenbraun Smith (Larry). Also surviving include Nancy’s sister Penny (Jim) Swan of Townsend.
The family has suggested memorials in Rocky’s name be made to St. Peter’s Health Home Oxygen and Sleep Supplies, to the Eagles, or to the donor’s choice.
When all is settled, we know that Mom and Dad (Rocky and Nancy) are once again together and have left behind a Legacy of Love: Love for one another, Love for community and Love for family.
Services are set for noon on June 24th, 2024, at Fort Harrison in Helena.
Service Schedule
Interment
Noon
Monday June 24, 2024
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd
Helena, MT
Service Schedule
Interment
Noon
Monday June 24, 2024
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd
Helena, MT
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richard albertini says
We will miss you Rocky, You gave me a lot good advice during our time in the guard. We had some good times having a few beers. You were a great man and will be missed for your knowledge.
Rockie and Toni Zahara says
We are sure your hearts aching!! We know words are inadequate at a time like this, but we want you to know how sorry we are for the passing of Rocky. Just reading the write up is just amazing!!!
Lorie Lacher says
I’m sorry to hear about Rocky’s passing. He took care of me as a child with asthma at the Columbus Hospital. As a young adult I too became a respiratory therapist. Rocky was a mentor to me as I started my respiratory career. My condolences to all of you for your loss!
Marie says
I didn’t know Rocky well, but he made a lasting impression on me. What a kind, loving man. You all are in my prayers.
Shirley Thomas says
I was sorry to read of Rocky’s death. He was a good friend of my husband Earl through his work with the American Lung Assoc. He made life better for so many. He was one of the good guys.
Paula Owens says
Wish we could have known you better.
Barb Sproles says
Old friend Rocky, I have known you & Nancy for a long time. You both made such an impact on our Eagle’s in East Helena & the State of Montana, too.. So many events grew beyond our imagination & you were sure the people would come. Boy, did they show up!!! Thank you for your expertise in business & care of the events being everlasting.
Please, know we are all thinking of your family & keeping them in our prayers 🙏. Your dad’s State Eagles friends, are all over the state. He had great impact on all of us. God Bless,
Barb Sproles, PSMP, Bozeman Eagles Auxiliary #326.
Missing both of you🦅
I
Ernest L Cobb says
To All of Lanue’s Family,
First, we are so sorry to hear of “Rocky’s” recent passing. It was a very quick and a very unexpected event in all of your lives. However, God obviously wanted and needed a special angel to join him in heaven. He certainly found one in Lanue!
I, Janice, had the honor and the pleasure of meeting Rocky for the very first time at the “Kool Kuzzins” family reunion. I found that all of the high praise Lanue had been given by other family members, including Ernest Lee, were quite true! But, we must say that after reading his obituary, that praise is quadrupled! He truly was the great Dad, loving granddad, devoted husband, and wonderful member of society to an indefinite number of people. How proud all of you must be! Do allow your beautiful memories help ease your sorrow and give you strength as future days and years pass by. Be happy as he would wish for each of you as he watches over you from the heavens above. Blessings to all–Ernest Lee and Janice Cobb (cousin in Virginia)