- Date Of Birth: July 13, 1940
- Date Of Death: February 7, 2008
- State: Montana
Judy Jeniker of Lakeside, Montana, age 67, passed away Thursday, February 7, 2008 at the Brendan House in Kalispell, Montana. She was born on July 13, 1940 in Butte, Montana to Jack and Violet (Mattson) Hihnala.
Judy’s education included the Grant School, Washington School, Butte High School (1958, and college at Montana State College (now MSU), graduating there in 1963. Her degree and early chosen profession was that of a bacteriologist. After brief post graduate work at MSU she took a position as Research Microbiologist with the Extractive Metallurgical Research Division. The Division at that time was based in Anaconda, Montana so that Judy lived in that city for some 3 years. In about 1967, the division relocated to Tucson, AZ where she lived briefly. Then, on December 5, 1967 she married Frank Jeniker, a Research Engineer who also was employed in the same division.
Frank and Judy moved to Walnut Creek, CA where Anaconda Company had become partners in an alumina consortium. This project culminated in a huge alumina refinery in Jamaica, necessitating Frank and Judy to move there where they lived for some 5 years.
In 1973 they repatriated back to the U.S., moving to the Flathead Valley. Since that time they have resided north of Lakeside on the west side of Flathead Lake. About 1978 Judy took a job with the Montana State Department of Natural Resources. She became most proficient in the knowledge of water law and the processing of such claims. The Kalispell Office had jurisdiction over the 4 counties of northwestern Montana. In addition she spent some of her new career in the Bitterroot Valley, and the state offices in Helena. Judy was widely respected for her special skills in handling the public in this often contentious area, and for her special knowledge. Lawyers, Judges, Realtors and clients will remember her for these talents.
Judy, despite having made numerous friends and associations, always harbored a deep love for her background and heritage in Butte and Finntown. Her personality was marked by the Finnish characteristics known as “sisu”, meaning a fierce independence and spirit. She was an avid Bobcat fan.
In the Flathead Judy had numerous connections with the Flathead Democratic Women’s groups, other groups aligned with women’s and minority rights, and similar causes. Often she and Frank attended meetings of groups dedicated to freedom of thought and expression, individual rights, etc. she ran for the Montana Senate local seat in the 1980’s.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, sister Lorna, brother-in-law Don Gilbert, sister-in-law Lorraine Jeniker.
Judy is survived by her husband of 40 years, Frank Jeniker of Lakeside, MT; one sister, Sharon Gilbert of Butte, MT, 3 brothers; Jack Hihnala and his wife Bev of Helena, MT, Leonard Hihnala of Butte, MT, David Hihnala of Rochester, MN, Larry Hihnala of Las Vegas, NV and brother-in-law Charles Jeniker and his wife Barbara of Butte, MT. She also has numerous nieces and nephews in Washington, Billings, and New York, with some relatives who still live in the area of Roberts and Red Lodge where her great-grandparents first homesteaded.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Judith’s family.
