Helena Holma Kasky

Helena Holma Kasky, 96, of Polson, MT passed away on Friday, April 9, 2010 at the Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center where she had been a resident.Helena was born on July 19, 1913 on the family farm in North Ironwood, MI, the daughter of Finnish immigrants, Edward and Susanna Rajamaki Lake. Helena was one of nine children and was very proud of her Finnish heritage. Her daily chore on the farm was to milk the cows. Often her family would visit Lake Superior where Helena developed her passion for fishing.After her brothers moved to Washington State, Helena and her husband John Holma followed suit and later settled in Montana where she obtained her first fishing license and fish she did. She enjoyed fishing in Georgetown Lake and taught her grandchildren how to fish. They also grew to love the sport and still do. Helena and John operated the Crackerville Tavern for many years near Anaconda. She also worked for a number of years in Civil Service during WWII, as a tree planter in the Deborgia area, and as a Nurse's Aid in Warm Springs.John died in 1966 and Helena later remarried Larry Kasky in 1969. Larry passed away in the 1980's and Helena later moved to Polson, MT from Opportunity, MT to be near her daughter, Penny.Besides her parents and husbands, Helena is preceded in death by two sisters, Helmi Nylund and Helen Waltonen: and three brothers, Eino, Eugene, and Edwin Lake.She is survived by her loving daughter, Penny (Gene) Streitz of Polson, MT: three sisters, Judy Krankkala, Hilda Polso and Faye Shawbitz: three grandchildren, Richard, Rae, and Clint: seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 16, 2010, 11:00 AM at Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson. A reception will be held at the funeral home immediately following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Helena's memory to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, 29 North Reservoir Rd., Polson, MT 59860. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Kasky's family.
Read Helena Kasky's Obituary and Guestbook.