Della Helgeson, 98

Our beloved mother, Della Marie Helgeson, 98, passed away on August 17, surrounded by her friends and family. 

She was born on March 23, 1928, in Nashua, Mont., to Mike and Meral Sterback. Della met her husband Joe, while working for the Corps of Engineers at the Ft. Peck Dam. They were married in May of 1951, and as planned, they left immediately for Denver where Joe enrolled in the University of Denver. After graduation, they moved to Kalispell in 1955. 

Della devoted her life to her family and her faith, raising her two sons with love and patience. She was an active member of St. Matthew’s Parish and enjoyed various hobbies such as painting, pottery, dancing and playing card games. Della owned and operated Prautes Christian Books and Gifts in Kalispell from 1978 to 1980. After Joe retired, he and Della began to travel all over the U.S. in their newly purchased motorhome, which brought them much joy. To keep busy they joined the Agency on Aging and delivered meals on wheels to needy people. 

Della is survived by her children; son Dave and wife Tracey; grandson Matthew and wife Kelsey; grandson Mark and wife Laura; son Tom and wife Michelle; granddaughter Halie Alexander and husband Chris; grandson Ty; grandson Cody and wife Kadie; great grandchildren Wyatt, Charlie, Laura and Benjamin.  

Della spent over 12 years in residence at Immanuel Living Terrace and the family wishes to thank the staff at Immanuel Living and Stillwater Hospice, for their caring and support. The service to celebrate Della’s life will be private. To honor Della’s deep devotion to her faith, the family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of a donation to St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 602 South Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901. (Or at: saintmatthewskalispell.org). Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.