Madeline 'Lal' Landes

Madeline Ann 'Lal' Bing Landes, 91, died Sunday, February 7, in Bozeman, Montana, at the Hamilton House where she had been lovingly cared for during the past seven years. Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, on April 15, 1918, Madeline was the daughter of British immigrants Robert Valentine and Hilda France Walter Bing, the fourth of six children. Madeline attended Regina schools and graduated from Regina Central Collegiate School in 1936, where she was a skilled high jumper. An accomplished dancer, Madeline performed at the Darke Hall Conservatory of Performing Arts in Regina for several years. Strauss waltzes were her favorite ballet arrangements, with 'On the Beautiful Blue Danube' being her signature piece. She met Darrell Glenn Landes of Williston, ND, while working in a hospital in Wolf Point, MT. The couple was married December 14, 1939, in Regina, settling in Glasgow, MT. Together they raised three children, Beverly Ann, Robert William and Kenneth Glenn. In 1943, Madeline became a naturalized American citizen, an accomplishment of which she was extremely proud. While living in Glasgow, Madeline directed a dance studio teaching ballet, tap and acrobatics for many years. A meticulous homemaker, she enjoyed gardening, baking, sewing, crafts, antique doll repair, ceramics, making Christmas ornaments and wall hangings and knitting afghans. Many family members and friends have a piece of her handiwork in their homes. Known for her sharp wit and keen sense of humor, Madeline enjoyed bridge and pinochle and the most difficult of crossword puzzles. She especially enjoyed raising dogs, with her favorite breeds being the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog. Madeline was an ardent Glasgow High Scottie fan and booster; her rousing cheers could be heard across the courts and fields. From 1962-1976 Madeline and Glenn lived in Havre, MT, where she continued to teach dance in her home. Upon her husband's retirement from the railroad in 1976, they moved to Bozeman, where once again she showed her school spirit, this time for the Bozeman Hawks and MSU Bobcats. Her support and enthusiasm were especially noted when her grandsons were playing. Madeline enjoyed learning about her family history. Proud of her British roots, one of the highlights of her recent years was connecting with her family from the United Kingdom when two cousins paid a visit to Bozeman. She loved her photo albums and keeping track of each generation. Madeline was a member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Glasgow, St. Mark's in Havre and St. James in Bozeman. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers Robert Joseph, Andrew Henry and John Blythe Bing and two sisters, Marion Hilda Bing and Edith Bing Goffin, her husband, Darrell Glenn, her two sons Bob and Kenny, sisters-in-law Evelyn Landes Kjorstad, Dorothy Bowie Bing and Elsie Hall Bing, and brothers-in law Irwin Wendell and William Duane Landes. Madeline is survived by her daughter Beverly (Bill) Townsend, her four grandchildren, Lizabeth Ann Townsend of Helena, MT, Kenneth Roger (Sheri)Townsend of Vancouver WA, Jeffrey Canon (Leslie) Townsend of Bozeman, MT and Shawn William Landes (Nicole) Krogsgaard of Austin, TX. Her pride and joy were her ten great-grandchildren, Stuart William of Helena; Jonathan Taylor, Alexandra Marie, Keenan Robert, and Joshua Jeffrey of Vancouver, WA; Asher Campbell, Owen Landes and Emma Louise Townsend, of Bozeman, MT; and Ryan William and Hannah Nicole Krogsgaard of Austin, TX. Madeline is also survived by her brother-in-law Kenneth Gail Landes of Missoula, MT and sisters-in-law Joyce Landes Duffey of Choteau, MT and Alice Rieder Landes of Missoula. 'Auntie Lal' had numerous nieces and nephews of whom she was very fond throughout Canada and the United States. Cremation has taken place. Private memorial services will be held at St. James Episcopal Chapel in Bozeman. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Glasgow High School Educational Trust, c/o Jeanine Markle, 904 Wedum Drive, Glasgow, MT 59230 or to the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter P.O. Box 11390 Bozeman, MT 59719.