Lex Anne Van Tighem

Lex Anne Van Tighem

February 9, 1955 - August 4, 2022
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Lex Anne Van Tighem (Houston), 67, passed away peacefully in her home in Great Falls, MT on Thursday, August 4, 2022.

She was born on February 9, 1955, to Walter and Doreen Houston in Great Falls, MT. She attended grade school at Lincoln Elementary and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1973. Thereafter, she attended the University of Montana in Missoula.

Lex was a brilliant and talented professional. She began her crop insurance career working as an underwriter for a start- up crop insurance company. During her time in crop insurance, she was an underwriter, underwriting supervisor, and then an underwriting manager, overseeing several teams of underwriters. In 2005, she transitioned to error resolution. She helped customers resolve data errors with the federal government. Lex had a special talent and passion for working through data and transmission errors. During her long tenure in the Crop Insurance Industry, she became a trusted and respected professional. Lex’s coworkers admired her free spirit and fun-loving nature. She loved competition and loved to win at any cost and even cheated if necessary! She introduced the term, “double dog dare” to so many and was always a breath of fresh air.

She had a singular zest for living and in 1988 married the love of her life, Steve Van Tighem. As with all things in life, she dove in whole heartedly adopting her new family without reservation. She became a beloved second (step) mother to both Mark and Michael Van Tighem. Lex courageously led the family on many adventures in the great Big Sky. Lex’s zest for living was quite contagious and her love for all things outdoors was readily apparent. Whether it was hiking in the mountains surrounding Great Falls or exploring the Seeley Swan corridor, the Van Tighem family, under her guidance, developed a deep love and respect for the mountains and Montana. Her love for Glacier National Park cannot be overstated. On her first visit to the park she remarked, “I can’t believe something so beautiful could exist anywhere but, in MONTANA!”

Lex’s love for life extended to a great many hobbies and interests but, none were nearer or dearer to her heart than her love of animals. Whether it was her pet alligator, Janet, horse, Blaze, or pet gopher, Lex loved all critters great and small. She held a particular kinship with man’s best friend.

Over her lifetime, Lex trained countless dogs. She was a member of the Great Falls Dog Training Club for 40+ years. She served in almost every position within the club. She was a valued and talented trainer and instructor. Lex taught obedience and agility. She showed her dogs throughout the US and Canada. Lex was a respected trainer and competitor. She made a great many friends in the dog training world. She was known for her excellent sportsmanship, willingness to help, and wonderful sense of humor.

Lex Anne is survived by her husband, Steve Van Tighem; stepsons, Dr. Mark (Stacy) VanTighem and Michael Van Tighem; brother’s, Scott (Sandy) Houston and Shaun (Regina) Houston; sister, Dianne (Jay) Augustine; sister-in-law, Cathy (Paul) Houston; three grandchildren, Hannah, Michael, and Abigail Van Tighem; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Walter “Paul” Houston and her parents, Walter J. and Doreen Houston.

There will be a funeral liturgy held for Lex on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Great Falls, MT. Her family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Great Falls Dog Training Club, local animal shelter, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral Liturgy

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
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  • 409 13th St S
    Great Falls, MT 59405

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