- Date Of Birth: October 28, 1921
- Date Of Death: December 11, 2012
- State: Montana
Helen J. Engle, 91, of Great Falls, passed away Dec. 11, 2012 at a local care facility from natural causes.
Helen J Bastas, daughter of Thomas and Theresa Bastas, was born October 28, 1921 in Great Falls. She graduated from Great Falls High School in 1939 and shortly thereafter, met her soon to be spouse, Ed Engle. Ed and Helen were married Sept. 6, 1942. They moved to the Westside of Great Falls in 1950.
Helen was a 4-H leader, teaching many young girls to sew. She worked for Hempl’s Bakery for many years before her retiring. Her hobbies were gardening, working crossword puzzles, dancing, and “winning at Pinochle!” Ed and Helen will always be remembered for the bushels of fresh vegetables they raised in their large garden. It was their pride and joy. Helen spent many hours in the early fall canning vegetables, fruit, jams, and jellies to be stored in the root cellar for the winter. Helen, born and raised in the Depression Era, often talked about the “hard times” on the southside of Great Falls. She also described going to school by the way of “Shanks mare”, which in the heart of winter was no picnic.
Helen is survived by her children Pat (Sandi) Engle and Vicki (Curt) Allen both of Great Falls, Coleene DeHaas of Austin, TX, and Reene Granlin of Telkwa, B.C.; sisters Maxine Loyland of Great Falls, and Patsy (Q.J.) Morris of Apple Valley, MN; brother Tom (Gayla) Bastas of Great Falls; grandchildren Burke (Melissa) Allen of Great Falls, Kole Engle and Lacy Wortman of Chinook, Kyle and Kourt (Jennifer) DeHaas of Austin, TX, and Ingrid and Paul Granlin of Telkwa, B.C.; six great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Ed, who passed in 2006; her parents; and sister Mary Walker.
The family would like to extend a grateful Thank You to the 4th and 5th floor staff at Cambridge Court for their compassion and care. You deserve a medal! You are the best! Thank again.
