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James Burk
Dr. James R. Burk passed away June 2, 2001, in Helena, Mont. Jim was born October 29, 1932, to Gilbert and Lena Burk at the Kinshella Logging Camp in Lupfor, Mont.
He attended elementary and high school in Kalispell and Cut Bank.
He joined the United States Navy and served from 1951 to 1956. While in the Navy he worked as a radio operator. Jim continued his education receiving his B.A. in Education from the University of Montana, his M.E. in Education and Guidance Counseling from Washington State University, Doctor of Education from the University of Montana. He married
the love of his life, Karen (Kolppa), on Aug. 15, 1959, in Missoula, Mont. They lived in Washington state and Columbia Falls, Mont., before moving to Helena in 1970, where they raised their daughter Lori and son Mike.
Throughout his life, Jim held a wide variety of jobs including logging, oil rig worker, U.S. park ranger, librarian, teacher, coach, guidance counselor and school administrator in Washington and Montana, principal of Columbia Falls High School, High School, supervisor for the Montana State Office of Public Instruction, education supervisor of Mountain View School for Girls and associate dean of the Helena College of Technology.
Jim's wonderful sense of humor, tenacity, integrity, and commitment to children and family will be remembered by all. He had many interests, but his true loves were fishing and playing with his grandchildren.
He was a member of the Montana State Committee for Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Helena Industries Board of Directors, Phi Delta Kappa, and Helena Retired Teachers. Jim also belonged to Morning Star Lodge No. 5, York Rite, Miriam Chapter No. 1, OES Algeria Shrine Temple and the Elks.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Al, Ted, and Bill. He is survived by his wife, Karen of Helena; daughter Lori and fiance' Jim Shaffer of Denver, Colo.; son Mike, daughter-in-law Ann and grandchildren Conlan, Emily, and Cassidy of East Helena; sisters Clara Graves of Eureka, Mont., Mona Hanson of Whitefish, Mont., Betty Overby of Libby, Mont.; brother G. I. Burk of Olney, Mont., and many other special family members and friends.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Hagler-Anderson Mortuary, 650 Logan, Helena, MT.
The family suggests memorials in Jim's name be sent to The University Of Montana School of Education in Missoula or the Algeria Shrine Transportation Fund, 15 N. Jackson, Helena, MT.
"Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I together can't handle."
Norman Jeanne Byrd
Longtime Helena resident, Norman Jeanne Byrd passed away on Oct. 7, 2000, after a lengthy illness.
She was born on Nov. 14, 1930, to Carl and Nora Jarrett in Clyde Park. She graduated from Park High School in 1948.
She then moved to Helena and married
George Byrd in June 1950. They had six children together, residing in York and Helena. They were divorced in 1963.
Norma was employed at the State of Montana, Union Bank and Trust, 1st Security Bank and then moved to Great Falls where she was employed at 1st Federal Bank and Reserve, where she held the position of the first female bank branch manager in Montana.
She returned to Helena in 1981. She moved to Boulder in 1994 and back to Helena in 1999.
Her greatest achievement was raising six children against great odds. She loved to read, garden and dance.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Nora Jarrett; three brothers, Carl, Milford (Tuffy) and Paul (Bud) Jarrett; three sisters, Flossie Gibson, Gertrude Weidman and Louise Thompson and grandson, Christopher Byrd.
Survivors include six children, Carl Fluharty of Maxville, Peggy Byrd of Clinton, Bob and Rhonda Byrd of Elliston, Becky Martin of Missoula, Sally Blanchard of Philipsburg and Jenny and Chris Dargan of Helena, 13 grandchildren, Jesse and Justin Fluharty, Nick and Jared Fleury, Timothy Byrd, Stephanie West, Lisa and Cindy Martin, Eric Mayer, Travis, Kyle and Sean Blanchard and Matthew Byrd; four great grandchildren, Noah, Ezra and Elijiah West and Brandon (Fleury) Smith; two sisters Betty McMichael of Spanaway, Wash. and Nellie Nelson of Columbus, Neb.; sister-in-law Mavis “Pete” Jarrett and numerous nieces and nephews.
A services of remembrances will be held at the Eagles Lodge No. 16, 801 No. Fee St. today at 2 p.m. Cremation has already taken place. Arrangements are under the direction of Hagler-Anderson Mortuary.
Helen Marie White
A dear sister, mother, and grandmother, Helen Marie White, 57, died Friday, Oct. 6, 2000, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena.
Helen was born Jan. 25, 1943, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Walter “Blackie” Wetzel and Doris Laverne Wetzel.
Helen was known to close friends and family as “Penny, ” and was raised on a farm located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
She cherished her Native American ancestry and her life was greatly influenced by her culture.
In the early 1950s, Helena attended grade school in Browning and rural Little Badger School.
When the family moved to Seville Flats, she continued her education at St. Margaret’s Catholic School, Cut Bank High School, Cut Bank, Mont., and the Ursuline Academy in Great Falls. Helen and her children moved to Washington, D.C., in 1966, where she received training and worked as a nurse for various hospitals and nursing homes. She moved to Denver in 1973. This trip was typical of Helen, as an injured robin she had nurtured to good health in D.C., rode to Denver with the family. Helen eventually returned home to Montana in 1976. While working at the Veteran’s Hospital, Fort Harrison, she met Dr. Manuel C. White. After courtship, Helena and Manuel were married
on Oct. 15, 1978, in Lethbridge, Alberta.
As a youth, Helen had a special place in her heart for pets and farm animals.
She raised sheep, chickens, and ducks as a hobby.
She took in homeless little animals and turned them into blue-ribbon champions.
Helen also loved the outdoors, especially hiking, swimming and horseback riding.
She was very kind, softhearted and possessed the attributes, which prompted recognition from the clergy.
Along with righteous qualities, Helen was a gifted musician and played piano at recitals.
As an athlete, Helen was ahead of her time when it came to sports as she competed with the boys in track, and usually crossed the finish line in first place.
Helen’s nursing career was indicative of her care and concern for those in need.
Later in life, Helen pursued the interest and hobbies of her late husband, Manuel.
They include archery, hunting, fishing and camping.
Attending track and field events to watch her husband compete took Helen to many local, state and national meets.
In 1998, the family was in Billings for Montana’s Big Sky State Games.
Dr. White, a world-class seniors athlete, was quoted in the paper as saying “Helen is really the key person, ” giving credit to his wife for his success.
“She’s the dietitian, nurse and chauffeur. She’s the one that keeps us going. She’s an integral booster and I couldn’t do it without her.”
Her family and friends couldn’t agree more with the descriptive account of Helen’s nature.
Dr. White now has his number one booster with him, and we must go on without her.
No doubt we’ll have the ”integral booster” forever watching over us.
Preceding Helen in death were her mother, Doris, and husband, Manuel and niece, Susan.
Survivors include father, Walter S. Wetzel, Sr.; children John White, Charmaine White, Ray Luchi, all of Helena; daughter Christine Wetzel of Great Falls; sisters, Marlene Wetzel and Sher Wetzel, all of Helena; brothers, Mike Wetzel and Lance Wetzel of Helena, Don Wetzel and Walt Wetzel, Jr., both of Billings; Bill Wetzel of Cut Bank; granddaughter, Destiny of Helena; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Retz Funeral Home. A rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Retz Funeral Home with a vigil to follow at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 11, at the Cathedral of St. Helena. Interment will follow at the Montana State Veterans cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to donor’s choice.
“O Lord, this is a very special Penny as you can plainly see, and the reason she’s so special she’s from us to you; whenever we are lonely or even feeling blue, we’ll know she’s in good hands; you are so lucky to have our Penny, so keep our Penny with you as a reminder of the joys we’ve shared, and remember she is a symbol of a loving heart that cared.”
Lillian Sparing
Lillian 'Sis' Sparing, age 83, of Helena died at a local care facility Sept. 28, 2002. She was born Nov. 3, 1918, to Bill and Lillian Farry. She married
Dick Sparing on Nov. 25, 1937. He preceded her in death in 1973. In addition to her husband, Sis was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Lipke and Fanny Sanderson and two brothers, Billy and C.J. 'Sonny' Farry.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Harvey Marshall of Helena; grandchildren, Kathy Farry and Doug Marshall; three great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Kelan and Justin all of Helena; brothers and sisters-in-law Eddie and Deloris Sparing and Leonard and Ina Sparing of Helena. She was also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and a truly fine friend, Kay Kennaugh.
No public funeral services will be held. Interment was in Sunset Memorial Gardens cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association; 7 W. 6th Ave., Suite 4F, Helena, MT 59601 or to Hospice of St. Peter's at 201 S. California, Helena, MT 59601. Retz Funeral Home in Helena is in care of the arrangements.
Frances Seely Johnson
Frances Seely Johnson, 94, a lifelong resident of Helena, passed away Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002, at the Cooney Convalescent Home where she lived this past year.
She was born in Sheridan, Mont., June 25, 1908, to Jasper B. and Lenora (Turrell) Seely, both early-day residents of Montana. Her parents homesteaded in the Seeley Lake area (which is named for them, though misspelled) where J.B. Seely was a forest supervisor. He was later employed by the Lewis and Clark and Helena National Forests. Lenora Turres’ family homesteaded in the Ovando area.
Frances graduated from the old Helena High School on Warren Street in 1926 in a class of 88 students and took part in the first Vigilante Parade. She married
Edgar R. Samson in 1927 and gave birth to three sons, Richard, Bill and Thomas. She later married
Thomas H. Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Jess Casteel, Ruth Odom, Doris Smith, Joyce Carstensen and J. Brad Seely; her husband, Tom Johnson and sons, Dick and Tom Samson.
Survivors include a son, Bill (Lucille) Samson; a daughter-in-law, Marilyn (Dick) Samson; 13 grandchildren, Linda McCauley, Susan Kiebert, Dick Samson, Bob Samson, Carol Gullickson, Mark Samson, Barbara Crane, Virginia Yuhas, Kathy Sunsted, Curt Samson, Shelley Pelc, Julie Ferda and David Samson. She has 33 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She retired from the Veterans Administration Center at Fort Harrison, work she truly enjoyed and made a host of lifelong friends. She was a charter member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, Church Women United, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Helena Senior Citizens and the Community Home Care Association.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002, at 1 p.m. from the Plymouth Congregational Church. A gathering of friends and family will follow at the church. Memorial gifts can be sent to The Cooney Convalescent Home, 2555 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 or to The Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oakes, Helena, MT 59601.
Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home was entrusted with local arrangements.
Leonard W. Johnson
Leonard “Lenny” Wayne Johnson, age 53, of Helena, died of natural causes Friday, Nov. 8, 2002, in Helena. Born July 10, 1949, in Butte to Matt K. and Annabelle (Still) Johnson, Lenny was a graduate of Butte High School in 1968. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968 serving six years, and was discharged in 1974. Lenny worked for the Department of Corrections, as a correctional officer at the Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge. Lenny met and married
Lynda Lee Gill on Sept. 22, 1990, in Deer Lodge. Lenny enjoyed fishing, hunting and bingo. He was a volunteer at the Veteran Medical Center at Fort Harrison and a great supporter of the “Toys for Tots” campaign. He was a member of the V.F.W., American Legion, Marine Corps League, VVA, DVA and Moose Lodge.
Lenny was preceded in death by his parents, and uncles George, Bill and John Still.
He is survived by his wife, Lynda, of Helena; brother Walter E. Johnson and his wife, Phyllis, of Helena; sister Nancy Jennings of Butte; numerous nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Gayle and Dean Lord of Sandpoint, Idaho, and Theresa and Steve Miller of Helena; brothers-in-law, John and Amber Gill of Deer Lodge, Bill and Joan Gill of Denver, Dennis Gill of Boise; father-in-law, Earl Gill of Denver; and special friends Gloria and Mattie Paddock.
A memorial service in celebration of Lenny’s life is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, at Retz Funeral Home. Pastor Larry Miller of the First Lutheran Church will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans cemetery at Fort Harrison. Memorials in Lenny’s name are suggested to the U.S. Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” c/o Jim Heffernan, 1955 North Creek Court, Helena, MT 59602.
Marcella Margaret Burke
Marcella Margaret Burke, an indomitable spirit, inspirational educator and heroic mother, passed away at her home Friday morning after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer. Right up to the end, Marcella maintained her faith, her smile and her dedication to "live each day as a prayer." She was 56 years old.
Marcella was born in Butte to William J. and Martha Burke, the fifth of 12 children. From an early age Marcella learned from her parents and siblings the values of hard work, education, community service and an incredible zest for life. She loved her school days at St. John's the Evangelist School in Butte and was renowned among her classmates for her sense of adventure and outgoing personality.
Marcella graduated from Butte Central High School in 1964 and attended several institutions of higher education, including Montana Tech, Gonzaga University in Florence, the University of Oregon and Eastern Washington State College, before finally completing her degree in sociology at Gonzaga University in 1968. Her college days were highlighted by her student experiences in Florence, Italy, and later as a nanny on the Italian Riviera. On weekends and over school breaks, she traveled extensively in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. These travels would shape her outlook on the world for years to come.
After a short stint as a social worker in Spokane following graduation, Marcella decided that she could better answer her call to serve others by educating children and inspiring them to be "dangerous dreamers of new possibilities." She enrolled in the teacher preparation program at the University of Montana, earning her teaching certificate in the fall of 1969. Later that year, she accepted her first teaching job in Cut Bank, and taught there for eight years before moving to Helena in 1977.
In Helena, Marcella taught at Rossiter School for nearly 23 years before retiring at the end of the 1999-2000 school year due to her failing health. In the Helena valley, Marcella made her mark on nearly 1, 000 students, many of whom she kept up with as they moved on to successful careers, families and other endeavors. She truly loved every student she taught and at the time of her death had compiled pictures, memory albums and student work samples that currently occupy two storage sheds near her home. Even after much family encouragement, she remained reluctant to part with any student's work because it was her constant reminder of a child who had touched her life.
Over the years Marcella received much recognition for her exceptional efforts in the classroom. In 1992, she was honored as Helena's Teacher of the Year, and in 1993 was selected as first runner-up for the Montana Teacher of the Year award. Marcella was especially honored in 1994 when several of her former students invited her to deliver the commencement address at Capital High School's graduation ceremony. In 1998 she was selected by a former student as a Presidential Teaching Excellence Award winner and traveled to Washington, D.C. to be recognized by Secretary of Education Richard Riley. Several former students in MSU-Bozeman's teacher education program have named Marcella as their most inspirational educator. In recent years, she has been nominated annually to appear in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers."
Despite her commitment to the classroom, Marcella always ensured that her "first vocation" remained motherhood. A single mother of two children, Marcella devoted herself wholly to the love, care and education of her sons. Marcella sacrificed much to ensure that they were raised in a nice home, with every advantage she could provide on her often-meager salary. There was no gift too great for her to bestow upon her "boys" and she never stopped giving all she had to ensure their well-being and happiness. She took great comfort in knowing that both of her sons returned to live in Helena during her battle with cancer and that her grandchildren would be close to her.
Marcella was also a tireless community activist. Her long list of organizational affiliations include: Delta Kappa Gamma (chapter president and vice-president), Leadership Helena, Sierra Park Board, Our Lady of the Valley Parish Council, Cathedral Social Justice Committee, Habitat for Humanity, Notre Dame Club of Western Montana, Helena Education Association, and the Montana Education Association. In addition, Marcella served as social chair of Helena's most outrageous social circle - the Copper Petunias. In recognition of many of these activities, Carroll College awarded Marcella with its annual community service award in 2000.
Marcella was preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her two sons and their families: Sean and Patricia Burke of Helena, and their expected baby due next week; and Erik and Elizabeth Burke of Helena and their children, Emily and Eamon. Marcella is also survived by her strongest support network - her 11 siblings and their spouses: Bill and Judy Burke of Stevensville; Bernadette and Jack Johnston of Colorado Springs; Pat and Laura Burke of Panzano, Italy; Catherine McNellis of Helena; Martin Burke of Missoula; Denis and Mary McGarry Burke of Helena; Maurice and Polly Burke of Bozeman; Kevin Burke of Missoula; Clarita Burke and Bob Jordan of Tucson, Ariz.; Dan and Char Burke of Seattle; and Maureen and Pat McNulty of Stevensville.
Cremation of Marcella's remains has taken place and a memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, at 3:30 p.m. A reception will follow at the Rossiter Elementary School gymnasium. The family requests that gifts or donations be sent in lieu of flowers to: The Sierra Park Board, c/o Rossiter School, 1497 East Sierra Road, Helena, MT 59602.
Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
