Lucille Helsper was born in Great Falls, MT to Charles and Catherine (Thommes) Lorang on November 14,1929. She passed away peacefully on February 19, 2021 in Butte.
She is survived by sisters Anna Lingel and Mary Seidl, and her six children, John H. Helsper (Denize Springer) of Mill Valley, California, William F. Helsper of Deer Lodge, MT, Lynne M. Gallion (Ron) of Centennial, CO, Michael D. Helsper (Annette) of Tustin, CA, Cheryl A. Gebhardt (Matt) of Kalispell, MT, and Curtis L. Helsper (Sue) of Coeur d Alene, ID.
Also surviving her are grandchildren, Brian Helsper of Tustin, CA; Kevin Helsper (Allison) of Anaheim Hills, CA; Ronnie Gallion (Gara Frisch) of Aurora, CO; Tom Gebhardt (Heather) of Wasilla, AK; Ryan Gebhardt of Kalispell, MT; Brenna Russell (Paul) of Nelson Bay, Australia; Scott Helsper of San Bernardino, CA, Drew Helsper of Coeur d Alene, ID; and Dennis Wind of Butte, MT.
Her great grandchildren are Blake, Luke and Zackary Helsper of Anaheim Hills, CA, Lily and Titus Gebhardt of Richland’s, North Carolina; Seb and Charlie Russell of Nelson Bay, Australia; and Sterling and Brody Gallion of Aurora, CO.
Lucille was predeceased by her husband John V. Helsper, sisters Katie Hugg, Sylvia Mammen and Helen Rada, and daughter-in-law Lisa Helsper.
After graduating from Great Falls High School Lucille worked as a stenographer until she married. The couple raised their children in Great Falls, Sun River, and Anaconda, MT where, later in life, she worked at Christie’s Flower Shop for 20 + years. She also lived briefly in Kellogg, ID and Yuma, AZ, returning to Anaconda before moving to Butte.
An energetic follower of her children’s and grandchildren’s sports pursuits “Gramma Lucy” often travelled hundreds of miles to cheer them on at games and meets. They all looked up to her as a bold, strong, driven, funny and sometimes a larger than life figure and hero.
When she wasn’t travelling, Lucille was busy going to and volunteering to manage, rummage sales and other community events as well as advancing her skills in a number of crafts including ceramics, crochet, and fashioning beautifully accurate silk renderings of many species of flowers, often contributing them to the weddings and other celebrations of friends and families.
Lucy will be remembered for her generous spirit, as a friend to all her children’s friends and as someone who could empathize with and strike up a conversation with anyone.
She loved Elvis Presley, NASCAR, spending time at her family’s cabin on Flathead Lake, where picking and eating cherries were one her favorite things about summer. She marveled at nature and tried to share it with her children and grandchildren, particularly the wonder of butterflies, hummingbirds, roadrunners and the chickens that lived in the trees outside her Yuma home.
Late in life she relished the role as her own family’s matriarch at the gathering’s at her son Bill’s ranch where she kept time on expertly played spoons with all the musicians in the family. She also held her own at horseshoes and even took up the challenge of her son’s home-built mechanical bull. “Oh, what a thrill!,” she proclaimed as she walked away victorious.
Lucille was an avid member of the Daughters of Isabella and the congregation at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Anaconda.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 28th at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 605 Clark St., Deer Lodge, MT 59722. Rite of Committal will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge.
Gifts in Lucille’s honor can be made to: Daughters of Isabella, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to a favorite charity.
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Lucille.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Lucile and her family.
Lee H Wind says
We will miss Lucy , but also remember the many times we visited with her. My wife and I have a comomon bond our grand-son Dennis. We send our Love and Prayers to all the family. Lee & Lorelee Wind.
son Bill says
Mom, Your name landed on Mars yesterday with the Rover Perseverance. Congratulations on another adventure accomplished!
Cheryl and family says
Mom,
You were the best Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma ever. We will all miss you terribly… Your wonderful sense of humor, feistiness, and your listening ear and motherly advice… Thank you for always being there when we needed you… Love and miss you…
Mary Ann Bolkovatz says
To the family of Lucille-Your mom was a dear friend of both my parents. They spent many hours laughing and also sharing life’s trials and tribulations. My mother loved going to yard sales with your mom. There is the epic story of the yard sale that they did together. They didn’t make a dime and all they did was trade stuff! I think your mom helped my mom buy many of her $1 yard sale coats until my dad finally told my mom to buy one at McIntrye’s. But they enjoyed doing it together. After my mother’s death your mom was a comfort to my father in his time of loss. RIP Lucille. You were one of a kind. Mary Ann Bolkovatz
Lynne Gallion says
Mom, it’s only been one day since we received the call of your passing.
There’s a huge hole in my heart that can’t be replaced.
You devoted your entire life to raising 6 children. Even after we had grown you remained a huge part in everyone’s lives.
As Denize once said the party hasn’t started until Lucy has arrived. Your humor, your presence will be sorely missed. Now what?
Thanks for giving your all to us! I’m sorry you had to go so quickly after you survived COVID. Obviously God had a different plan.
Please say hello to your parents, sisters, relatives, Fran and Dad. I know you’ll be the life of the party up there too.
Hey, put in a good word to God about your children 😊
I’ll miss you Mom!! ☹
Lynne
Joann Bolkovatz amoroso says
Lucille did the flowers for my wedding and that meant so much to me and my family. She was one of a kind. My sincere condolences
Liz says
Grandma Lucy, I love you and I will miss drinking red beer, making spaghetti with you, and listening to all the wonderful stories you told me. Until we meet again.
Son-in-law Matt says
We will very much miss Lucy. What a great sense of humor and an absolute riot to get her fired up by teasing her. Fiesty, funny, tough, wonderful lady!!! Truly a one of a kind person and a full on pleasure to be with and equally a huge blessing to have known. RIP Lucy and very glad you are home.
Brenna says
What a life well lived. Grandma Lucy was free spirited, adventurous, and lived life loud! Mechanical bull riding at family reunions, playing her spoons, doing rain dances around the tee-pee, there was never a dull moment. I’ll always remember her wild spirit. She loved her kids and grand kids fiercely. She was so proud of us and would call out anyone’s talent in front of everyone, whether we were embarrassed or not.
She was an amazing florist. She took pride in her designs, as she should’ve because they were beautiful. She sent 2 sons off to war. One was drafted, the other enlisted so his younger brother didn’t go alone. If that doesn’t show you the fine example she set for her kids, I don’t know what would. Both came back home and she prayed daily they would come home with no tattoos. She was bold and strong. She was driven. I was always and will always be proud that people thought I was so much like her. I’ll never look at licensed Coca Cola products or hear Elvis Presley the same. She truly was and will always be larger than life. Grandma, I promise to keep eating chocolate cake, but instead of hiding the evidence from you, so I don’t get in trouble, I’ll hide it from my kids instead. Love you lots, miss you always, I’ll see you when I get there.
-Brenna
Ryan G says
We will all miss you very much Grandma Lucy, always an adventure when you came to visit us in Alaska. I hope that you are resting easy in the sky. Love you Grandma
Tom G says
Your fiesty spirit will be missed by all. Love you & RIP
Mike says
To my Mom, teacher, and friend. You will forever be with me. I will always cherish the memories we shared. I will miss you.
Your son Mike
Jack Helsper says
Mom,
Thank you for always being there for each and every one of us. We will try to live up to the high standards you set while having fun as you did so well. Hope you’re grooving right now. Love you.
Son Jack
Sara Rowe says
So sorry for your families loss. It was a real blessing to take care of your mom while she was at Copper. We always seemed to share a laugh or two. I am so glad she is not suffering as she told me last week she wanted to go see the angels.
Ronnie says
DEAR GRANDMA LUCY
Well where do I start. You are so loved and missed, so much compassion, heart, and perseverance came to all our family’s and multiple generations with your guidance. Your blessings will be held within people forever!
I hope some time down the road we will be able to catch up in heaven. When that happens, I’ll let you win in checkers like you always did for me!
LOVE LOVE,
RONNIE JOE
Connie Lingel says
Aunt Lucy, I always thought you were so much fun and funny, too. I always loved your rambunctiousness (if that is a word) and enjoyed being around you. I am really impressed with your children too. Any of you are welcome to stay with me if you ever come to Portland. My thoughts are with all of you. Take care of yourselves and now that you are in my thoughts.
Susan K Sullivan says
Lucy you were such a light of sunshine at Hearthstone when you lived there. One day she put to much soap in the front load washer and bubbles were coming out the door and everywhere. I helped her clean it out to the best of our ability and we laughed and laughed. I called her Bubbles from then on and she just went along with the joke. She was one lovely lady. RIP Lucy.
Denize Springer says
Lucille Helsper was the first person I ever met who proudly held a “back seat driver’s licence”. Rest in funny, Lucy.
Love, daughter in law, Denize (Jack’s wife)
Ronald Mammen says
My funny sister-in-law of 69+years. Although we never managed to connect often in person, you were always in our hearts. I was lucky to visit Lucy before the Covid Lockdown and had intended to visit again but maybe in the future we will meet again. I cherished our friendship.
Ron
Ron Gallion says
Lucy was such an inspiration to all. In so much for me that I wrote a song ” One of Kind” dedicated to her. One part that stands out true , “your smile will always shine thru my eyes”. I will think of you often.
Your son in law -Ron
Ann Lingel - Lucy's sister says
Lucy is the fourth of the six Lorang girls to pass away. As we were growing up we were all very close and we always kept in touch. Lucy was the most vivacious, the most ready to try new things, and she also had the best sense of humor.
Cherries were special to her even before our Dad had the cherry orchard on Flathead Lake. One day, Mom sent Dad and her to the store to buy a 20-pound box of cherries for canning. Before the two got home, only about 10 lbs remained in the box.
She raised six terrific children with love, and loved every minute she spent with her extended family. There are no words to say how much we will miss her.
Anna and Mary, the two remaining alley girls.
Kristie Murphy says
My condolences to Lucy’s family. I had the privilege to work with Sweet Lucy at Copper Ridge Rehab. She is definitely missed! Rest easy sweet Lucy. This “kid” misses you.
Jill Hotalen says
There are no words to express how deeply sorry I am for the loss of such a beautiful lady! You are all in my thoughts and prayers! I had the privilege of getting know sweet Lucy during her time at Copper! Ridge! She was the sweetest, most kind hearted, fun loving lady I have ever had the pleasure of working with! She spoke of her family with so much pride, I know she loved each of you dearly!! She will always have a very special place in my heart! Rest In Peace sweet Lucy!!! This “kid” already misses you so much!!! 🙏💔🙏
rose nyman says
I was sorry to read of Lucille’s death. I always enjoyed her enthusiasm, appreciated her many talents and admired her deep love and caring for her children. Lucille was pleasant to visit with when I was around her.
She will be greatly missed in your family circle. My thoughts and prayers are with Lucille’s children and grandchildren.
Annette Helsper says
Lucille had a laugh I will never forget. She was adventurous and even skydived in her 60’s. She had an ability to talk with anyone about anything and she shared her family stories with those who wishes to listen.
Her love for her children and grandchildren grew and grew through the years and she always remained the go to Mom and Grandma for comfort and advice and found a silver lining in life’s situations. Everyone could always count on you. As her daughter-in-law I appreciated her many stories of her life experiences. She touched my heart in so many ways with her strength, guidance and understanding. Lucille was the central figure in my extended family. I thank you for taking such great care of your daughters, sons, daughters-in-laws, son-in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loving us all.
Each day is filled with memories of you. Our world is a little less colorful and a lot less interesting today.
You can rest peacefully now. I will miss you.
Annette Bolkovatz Helsper (Mike’s wife)
Dan McCarthy says
My sympathy to the Helsper family. Your mom was special. Jack was a pal in school years. Got to visit him while we were in army. I was in basic training and he was in language school. Raised about a block apart. Some good memories there. My mother also felt highly of Lucille and often referenced her during the years on 5th street. The best to you all and God bless your mother.
Susie robertson says
To the Helsper family. I’m so sorry for your loss. Lucille was such a nice lady always liked her.Love you always Lynn your friend Susie
James AspHolm says
I remember “Lucy” as my neighbor in Anaconda. When she liked you it was forever. My condolences to the family.