Helen Alvera Steuerwald (Borgstede)

Helen Steuerwald passed away peacefully on July 5, 2016, at the age of 101, at the Retreat Senior Living Residence in Polson, MT with her daughter by her side. Helen was born February 7, 1915 on a farm near Clancy Creek on the outskirts of Helena, Montana. She was the first child of Henry & Edna Borgstede. After finishing her second year of school, the family moved to Lethbridge, Alberta Canada and farmed for three years before moving back to Charlo, Montana. She graduated from Charlo High School in 1935 where she had been very active in Glee Club, Band and Girls Basketball. Following graduation she went to Missoula to find work and adventures away from farming life. She lived in Mrs. Hickman’s Boarding House where she met the man of her dreams, Winston (Curly) Steuerwald. They were a dynamic couple who liked the same activities (dancing, playing cards, golfing, and being with family and friends). They married in 1938 and were together until he passed away in 1998. They raised two children, Gary and Janis, while living in Missoula. After retirement, they moved to Victor, MT and wintered in Yuma, Arizona traveling extensively before moving back to Missoula.

Helen was a “Jack of All Trades” working over the years in several vocations. She worked for the Florence Laundry, Sherwin and Williams Paints, Blackees Hamburger Stand, Stop & Shop Grocery, KGVO Radio & TV, First Montana Bank and retired from The Bon Marche (the old Missoula Mercantile) in 1972 as the Millinery Dept. Manager. Helen was active in various community activities particularly with the Missoula County High School and City Council PTA’s serving as president, and a variety of positions with the Y-Teens and the Missoula YWCA. She was also a Campfire leader, and was involved with Toastmasters, Sweet Adeline’s and a member of the Lady Elks.

Helen was incredibly creative which was very apparent in her chosen activities of singing, dancing, sewing, culinary mastery, becoming an artist later in life, and her great love of music. If music was playing, she was tapping her foot and ready to dance. She also enjoyed the creative side of gardening. She had a huge garden in Victor and had the green thumb to grow anything. Her grandson’s fondest memory was “helping” her in the garden harvesting fruits and vegetables. He ate more than he picked, but she was very tolerant. Her granddaughter also enjoyed picking berries with Grandma and baking bread to serve at the family dinner table. Grandma also played a mean game of solitaire so the grandkids were introduced to the many varieties of the game.

Her sweet spirit and astute sense of humor will be sorely missed by all that were fortunate enough to know her loving soul. Helen is survived by her son Gary (Patty) of Georgetown, TX, daughter Janis Jette (Cloyd Summers) of Polson, MT, granddaughter Angela Jette Swanson (Steve) of Park City, UT, grandson Mark Jette (Marcela) of Helena, MT, great grandchildren Luke and Kaia Swanson of Park City, UT, and several nieces and nephews. Surviving sisters are Thayne Clark of Missoula, Viola (Tom) Daw of Portland, OR, and Lillian (Charles) Fisher of Clarkston, ID. Preceding her in death was her husband, her parents, brothers Ray and Jerry and sister Edna Lentz.

As per her request, there will be a family memorial in August with much music, laughing and dancing!

Memorials may be sent to Camp-Mak-A-Dream, P.O. Box 1450, Missoula, MT 59806