July 13, 1931 - March 6, 2025
BUTTE ÐÔÊӽ紫ý” On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the Heavens became filled with an abundance of love as Raeneda Erna Faroni, at age 93, entered Heaven with her joyful and loving heart. Surrounded by her family at her home in Butte, Raeneda peacefully made her journey into eternal life joining her husband, Muzz and her son, Joe.
Raeneda would have turned 94 in July.
Raeneda was born in Aberdeen, Idaho on July 13, 1931, to Theodore Ray and Elma Ernst. She was the fourth youngest of the five Ernst siblings, Bernice, Lorraine, Charmaine, Raeneda and Fred.
She was raised on the East Side of Butte, Mont., and attended the Grant School and then went on to attend Butte High School.
The Ernst family were a close-knit, beautiful and attractive family with delightful personalities; they had a love of family and encouraged laughter and humor in their home. As a family during Raeneda's childhood, they loved visiting their aunt on her farm in Idaho where they learned to appreciate and love the farm animals and enjoyed horseback riding. They all grew up with a love for animals and passed this affection on down to their own children.
In 1953, Raeneda met the love of her life, Harry "Muzzy" Faroni, and they married on May 15, 1954, at Sacred Heart Church. Together their union brought them the three joys of their lives: their daughter, Jolene, their son, Joe and their youngest daughter, Kathi. Their family was their life and their constant priority. The best gift any parent can give their children is their love and affection. The Faroni children were definitely blessed with two of the best parents in the world.
Muzz and his brother-in-law, Judo Stanisich, opened the Rose Garden Bar in 1954 which later in 1962 moved to its new location and became Muzz and Stan's Freeway Tavern as we know it today. During Muzzy and Judo's partnership their wives, sisters Raeneda and Charmaine joined forces to swamp the bar each day and have it immaculately clean. When Judo Stanisich retired Muzzy and Raeneda became a team in running the operation. Raeneda was the person quietly in the background working her magic. Together they defined the quote, "Behind every good man stands a good woman." Both Muzzy and Raeneda's efforts contributed to the Freeway Tavern becoming the phenomenal local landmark that we all know it as today. Raeneda prepared the spaghetti sauce for years and mastered the Freeway Wop Chop (pork chop sandwich) as she pounded, battered and prepared thousands of them to perfection throughout the years. After Muzzy's passing she continued as the owner/operator of Muzz and Stan's Freeway Tavern. Raeneda was the last of the old timer tavern owners from the hey days of Butte.
As a family Muzzy and Raeneda, along with their children, enjoyed camping trips with their family friends and many other fun times together. During Evel Knievel's daredevil career, Muzzy and Raeneda shared many memorable times traveling with mutual friends to visit Evel and Linda Knievel at their Florida home and traveling to attend Evel's Snake River Canyon Jump. The 1970s was full of color and energy and Butte had a wonderful vibe, both Muzzy and Raeneda experienced this moment in time and captured fabulous memories of a lifetime.
Her life was completed when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren came into her life. Raeneda loved her grandchildren and a bond like no other grew between each of them and her. Grandma to her grandchildren and GiGi to her great-grandchildren. She loved and enjoyed the visits from her two granddaughters. Her three great-grandchildren kept her heart light and added laughter to her days. Some of her fondest moments in later years were enjoying a sunny day in her yard watching her great-grandchildren play on the swing set and trampoline.
Raeneda especially appreciated the love, care and attention that her two daughters gave to her as her health declined, they were her constant. Raeneda thoroughly enjoyed her visits with her son-in-law, Mark Spolar, their ritual was a chat at her kitchen table as Mark read the newspaper and enjoyed a Pepsi. She appreciated Mark knowing she could depend on him for any handy work needed. Raeneda was surrounded with love, and it made her heart full.
Raeneda was a hard-working woman and cherished her most significant role which she did with perfection and pride, the role of Homemaker and Mom. She was a fabulous cook and baker preparing beautiful meals and special treats, and her home was always beautifully kept. She had a zest for making the holidays special and festive. Her priority was making a comfortable home life for her family, a place where everyone felt secure and loved. Raeneda was a fun-loving person and loved everyone unconditionally. Having compassion for others and showing affection were her strong traits.
Aside from working at the Freeway Tavern, she worked many jobs throughout her life. Raeneda worked for Harrington's Ice Cream Store which she referenced as one of the most enjoyable and fun jobs due to a constant variety of ice cream to revel in. She worked for a creamery on Farragut Street, the catalogue department of Sears and Roebuck, which was located in the Hennessy building, White's Funeral Home, she also worked for a dentist, and was a salesclerk at Britton's Fun Fashions in the Butte Plaza Mall.
She enjoyed belonging to a bowling club, she enjoyed her membership at the Butte Country Club attending social luncheons with her lady friends. She loved listening to her 33 rpm LP albums of Dean Martin, Englebert Humperdinck and Frank Sinatra.
Along with her family Raeneda was blessed with numerous dear friends whom she loved and cherished in her heart. Raeneda and her friends were the ultimate "Coffee Klatchers" drinking their coffee and catching up on their life events.
Raeneda was preceded in death by her mother, Elma and stepfather, Bill Cummins; her father, Theodore Ray Ernst; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Catherine Faroni; her husband, Harry "Muzzy" Faroni; her son, Joe Faroni; her brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Janice Ernst; sister Bernice Maddock; sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Ralph Hulverson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Isma and Rudy Spehar; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Severina and Bill Lange; son-in-law, John "JR" Rohan; grandson-in-law, Bryan Hock; grandson- in-law, Chase Estabrook.
Raeneda is survived by daughters, Jolene Rohan and Kathi Faroni (Mark Spolar); granddaughter, Heather Hock (Gregg Webster); grandson, Mikey Joe Faroni; and granddaughter, Jenna Faroni; great-grandchildren, who were the apple of her eye, Maleah Faroni, Leighton Estabrook and Hudson Estabrook; and sister, Charmaine Ernst. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews of whom she all loved. Raeneda is also survived by special extended family, Jim Norton, who was a huge part of her life; and her grandson's mother, Carole Moline.
Our family would like to thank Shawna Yates Enhabit Home Health & Hospice (Karli and Jonna), Butte Copper Ridge Rehab, Heather Dinius, Gary and Jennifer Shea, and the many other friends and family who have comforted us during our loss.
Mom, Grandma, GiGi, you are so sadly missed every day. We know you are resting in peace and at home with Dad and Joe. You will be our special Angel watching over us until we meet again.
Honoring Raeneda's wishes, no services are planned. A special Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2025 which we will announce at a later time.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
