Joan M. Harwood Layne

Joan M. Harwood Layne, 83, passed away at Logan Health Center in Conrad on July 28, 2024 due to failing health conditions. She was born January 27, 1941 in Browning to Tom and Edna Kennedy Harwood (her mother passed at her birth). Joan was raised by her father, Tom, and his second wife, Ruby, on the Harwood farm in Valier. Joan attended high school in Lawrence, Kansas where she met and married her first husband, Gerald Diamond. They later divorced, but from that union had a daughter, Deanna. Joan later met and married a young rancher, Robert Layne, and together they had two children, Hyland and Teresa. They raised their children on the Willow Rounds Ranch on the Marias River north of Valier. Joan said she couldn't imagine herself living anywhere else but, on the ranch, and remained there up until her death.

 Joan was a kind and generous person. She was humorous and so very comical at times. She loved road trips, picnics, playing pinochle, and rodeo... She had a very strong love for her family, and a deep affection for all her nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as her dearest friends and neighbors. One of her neighbors recently referred to her as "One of a kind, the Queen of the River."

 Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents, Tom, Edna, and Ruby Harwood; her brothers, Cye and Jay Harwood; and sister, Carma Adamson. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Charles Diamond.

 Survivors include her children, Deanna (Nolan) Barrett, Hyland Layne and Teresa Layne; sister, Reta Stokes; her “Greats and Her Grands” as she called them, grandchildren, Chance (Ashley) Barrett, Jace (Michele) Barrett, Baylee, Kaycee, Hylee Layne, and Tristin Bullshoe Layne, Austin Wagner, Cole Wagner, Teanna Layne; her great children, Wayd, Bellamee, Qwynn, and Zayne Barrett.

 Her family will miss her beyond words but are so thankful for the love she gave each and every one of us.