Clarene AuLani Burch

Clarene Aulani "Lani" Burch passed away on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dillon, Montana, at the age of 76. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on January 21, 1950, to Edith Kalei Kama and adopted by Clarence and Maxine Burch.

Clarene grew up in Los Angeles County and attended Monte Vista High School in Whittier, CA, and graduated in 1969. After high school, she attended Southland College for Dental Assisting in Montebello, CA, graduating in 1971. In her younger years, she loved dance, riding horses, and traveling. One of her favorite memories was taking road trips with her mother, Maxine, to visit family in Oklahoma. In her 20s, Clarene showed horses, often on a show circuit traveling all over the Western US and Nevada. Showing in many events such as Western and English trail.

In 1974, Clarene and her husband moved from California to Western Montana, eventually settling in the Bitterroot Valley. Clarene worked as a dental assistant in Hamilton and was a stay-at-home mom when her daughter was young. Clarene enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, cooking, baking, taking care of animals, volunteering at her daughter's school, and other activities her daughter was involved in.

Her retirement years were spent on old hobbies and new ones, such as jewelry making. She worked various jobs off and on and volunteered to keep busy.

Clarene is survived by her former spouse, Charles Oppegard, daughter Christina Oppegard, and several nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

There are no services scheduled at this time. Clarene's ashes will be scattered at a private location selected by the family.