Helen Louise Clark, 90

Helen Louise Clark passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Logan Health Whitefish, surrounded by her children and family. She was 90 years old.

She was born on Dec. 15, 1933, in Anaconda, to parents Peter and Mary Eckberg, the youngest of four children. She had a wonderful childhood, was very close to her parents and siblings and had many, many friends. She loved school and was proud to be an Anaconda High School cheerleader.

Mom had dreamed of being a nurse since the third grade, realizing that dream by attending and graduating from St. Patrick’s School of Nursing in 1952. She went on to work in Butte and Santa Monica, California, before returning to Kalispell and beginning her 32 years of nursing at Kalispell Regional Hospital, retiring in December 1999. She was a nurse for 44 years. Mom did have a reputation for being a little feisty and standing up for herself and her patients. She was known for being able to start a difficult IV and was called all over the hospital when needed. No one loved or took better care of her patients and their families than she did; she was always drawn to helping others. The day she retired she signed up to be a volunteer.

Mom met our dad, Jim Clark, after being introduced to him by her sister and brother-in-law, Ace and Red Gallagher. They married on Sept. 26, 1957, beginning a 38-year marriage that ended when he passed away in 1995. Together they had four children, Susan, Kathy, Eddie and Karen. They were devastated when Susan passed away shortly after birth and Eddie unexpectedly at almost two years of age. Together they worked through their grief and were incredible, wonderful parents to Kathy and Karen.

Our mom loved being a mom. We were treated to so many birthday parties, Halloween parties, family vacations, and she was very active and supportive of our school events. She was a Girl Scout leader, volunteered at our school and was a second mom to all of our friends. She loved entertaining, especially at our Flathead Lake cabin where she welcomed everyone.

Mom was a very active person. She bowled, golfed, played bridge, was an avid Grizzly fan attending the games for many years with Kathy and her family, traveled, belonged to a Home Demonstration Group, Birthday Club, and especially enjoyed her lunches with her nurse friends. Our mom was a devout and faithful Catholic. She told us that she had wanted to be a nun but was called to be a mom. She made sure we attended St. Matthew’s School, and she was very active in St. Matthew’s Parish as a Religious Education teacher, member of the Council of Catholic Women, Daughters of Isabella and helped with many funeral luncheons, church dinners and activities. Her faith was very important to her, and she had a special devotion to Mary.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents, Peter and Mary Eckberg, sisters, Alice and Ace, and a brother Charles; her daughter Susan and son Eddie. We know they are having a beautiful reunion in heaven.

Helen is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Kathy and Jim O’Day of Missoula, and Karen and Rick Weaver of Kalispell; seven beloved grandchildren, Chris (Emily), Kevin (Tiffany) and Brian (Brianna) O’Day; and Kimberly (Kyle) Poore, Angie (Justin) Willey, Alex (Autumn) and Nick (Julie) Weaver; her great-grandchildren Camden and Forest Poore and Evelyn Willey, and many nieces and nephews who all loved their Auntie Helen.

Our family would like to thank all the wonderful staff of the Montana Veterans Home who cared for our Mom with patience, respect, kindness and love. We are forever grateful.

Darlington Funeral Home is caring for our family. Rosary will be at 10:15 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 22 followed by Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 601 1st Ave. W., Kalispell, MT. Donations in Mom’s honor can be made to St. Matthew’s School or Church. We love you Mom. Fly with the angels!