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In Memory Of

Joan Brodie Wolstein, Age 90, of Helena, Montana

November 30, 1931 – February 26, 2021

Joan Brodie Wolstein, 89, passed away on February 26, 2021 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana.

Joan was born on November 30, 1931 as the fifth of six children of Hubert Elerby (Steve) and Verna Garvey Brinkerhoff Brodie. She spent her early years in Washington, D.C., moving to Montana in 1946.

Joan had a unique method of crawling, earning her the nickname of Cooter from her father. This nickname followed her throughout her life, lovingly called Grandma Cooter or Coot by many. She was also GG to her great-grandchildren.

Joan met the love her life, Martin Lawrence Wolstein, Jr., at Frontier Days in Helena, Montana. They married on May 6, 1950 in Townsend, Montana. Her best friend and sister Jean also married her husband Bill Sweeney that day in a double elopement.

The nature of Marty’s business brought them to Helena, California, Utah, Anaconda, and finally Butte, Montana in 1964, where they made their permanent home. Marty and Joan were parents to Steve, Greg, Sherwood, and Jeanne. She moved to Helena to live with her daughter Jeanne in 2018, where she lived until her death.

Joan stayed home with her children until Jeanne was in junior high. She enjoyed working in retail, taking her first job at the Diana shop. She purchased the Lake Market, which was later purchased by her brother Buzz. She became the co-owner of The Closet, which then branched out to Pennywise Fashions in both Helena and Great Falls. In later life she started working at Riddle’s Jewelry until her retirement at age 82.

Joan loved lunching with friends and family, especially dessert at the end of the meal. She also enjoyed playing the machines at area casinos, and making trips with family and friends to Nevada, especially her sister Anita. One of her biggest joys was the Wolstein family yearly Christmas Eve party, when the family would gather. There was many a laugh during the white elephant gift exchange. The 4th of July picnics at Verna’s and then Greg and Elaine’s cabin were the highlight of her summer. Family has traveled from all over the United States for this tradition for over 60 years. She enjoyed game nights, even when her great-grandchildren had to explain the rules several times to her.

Joan was proceeded in death by her husband, Martin, her parents Steve and Verna, mother and father-in-law Martin and Ann Wolstein Sr, her brother Steve Brodie, her sisters Ruth Cooney and Anita Ryan, brothers-in-law Rod Cooney, Thomas Ryan, and Bill Sweeney, and granddaughter Amy Wolstein.

Joan is survived by her children Steve (Connie) Wolstein, Greg (Elaine) Wolstein, Sherwood (Mary) Wolstein, and Jeanne Walker and Aaron Drivdahl; grandchildren Jamie (Chris) Toivonen, Lindsey Wolstein, Erin (Kian) Kjersten, Ashley (David) Erlandson, Klancy (Matt) Williams, Tahya (Brian) Neal, Shain (Lindsay) Wolstein, Melissa (Jacob) Nichols, Elizabeth (Peter) Parini, and Alison (Justin) Fortune; great-grandchildren Conor, Carson, Ciarra, Kylar, Kodye, Karmen, Jaedyn, Shyloh, Braylee, Teyk, Kenley, Kelton, Nora, Noelle, Marti, Kenzie, Cooper, and Axel. She is also survived by sister Jean Sweeney, and brother and sister-in-law Robert (Buzz) and Darlene Brodie.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date, when it is safe to gather and family is able to travel.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Joan’s memory be made to Shriner’s Hospital of Spokane, the Butte Kiwanis Sunshine Camp, Shodair Children’s Hospital, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family would like to thank Joan’s primary care provider Madeline Turner, M.D. and staff at Pureview Health Center and the providers, nurses, and staff at St. Peter’s Hospital.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at Mountain View Cemetery, 3910 Harrison Ave, Butte, MT 59701. Reception to follow underneath the old Denny’s building, next to La Quinta Inn & Suites, 1 Holiday Park, Butte, MT 59701.

Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Joan.

Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Joan and her family.

Service Schedule

Graveside Service

11:00 a.m.

Saturday May 15, 2021

Mountain View Cemetery

3910 Harrison Ave

Butte, Montana 59701

View map

Reception

Following Service

Saturday May 15, 2021

Underneath the old Denny's building, next to La Quinta Inn & Suites

1 Holiday Park

Butte, Montana 59701

View map

Service Schedule

Graveside Service

11:00 a.m.

Saturday May 15, 2021

Mountain View Cemetery

3910 Harrison Ave

Butte, Montana 59701

View map

Reception

Following Service

Saturday May 15, 2021

Underneath the old Denny's building, next to La Quinta Inn & Suites

1 Holiday Park

Butte, Montana 59701

View map

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Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  1. Skip and Diane Snyder says

    March 4, 2021 at 7:30 pm

    We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved Coot. She left a legacy of goodness.

  2. Anonymous says

    March 5, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    My thoughts and prayers at the loss of your mother. It is a sad moment in your life. God bless all of you. Vera McElroy

  3. Bill and Lana Sweeney says

    March 7, 2021 at 8:09 am

    While words cannot adequately express the sorrow accompanying the news of the loss of Aunt Cooter, we join in celebrating the wonderful life of this good and gracious lady. She was such a positive influence in our, and so many other, lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire extended Wolstein and Brodie Clans during this period of mourning her loss. There is truly a Very Special Guardian Angel watching over the family now. God Bless.

  4. Linda Whindom says

    March 7, 2021 at 11:35 am

    Love and miss you Auntie Cooter! I will cherish all our fun memories!

  5. Rachel McCracken Brown says

    March 7, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    Cooter, joan, you made me laugh more times then I know when i worked with you at riddles. You and Lina where like mom’s to me. Iam glad you can watch all us crazy kids from above now and can be with martin. Love you alway grandama cooter!

  6. Joe Parks says

    March 13, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    Love and miss you, Joanie. Y’all can play pinochle with my folks again!!

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Service Schedule

Graveside Service

11:00 a.m.

Saturday May 15, 2021

Mountain View Cemetery

3910 Harrison Ave

Butte, Montana 59701

View map

Reception

Following Service

Saturday May 15, 2021

Underneath the old Denny's building, next to La Quinta Inn & Suites

1 Holiday Park

Butte, Montana 59701

View map

Share

Share this! Tweet this! Email this!

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

No photos have been submitted yet.
Click here to share yours.

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