Terise Mumford, 72

Terise Louise Marian (Blotkamp) Mumford, 72, completed her life journey on May 25, 2026, after a two-month battle with gallbladder and liver cancer. Given only a week to live, Terise fought cancer for two months, making the most of her final days surrounded by the love and care of her close friends and family. She was born at St. Ann’s Hospital in Anaconda on April 5, 1954, attended St. Joseph’s Elementary, graduated from Anaconda Central in 1972, completed Lou Burton’s Beauty College, and attended Spokane Falls Community College from 1985 to 1986, where she studied commercial art. 

Terise lived a beautiful life filled with love, tenacity and the will to overcome all obstacles. Her life was not an easy one and was filled with challenges, financial, physical and emotional throughout her life. Despite all life’s challenges, she never failed to deliver kindness, love and a good laugh to those around her. She was a true role model for how to face adversity in this life. 

If asked what her greatest joy in life was, there is no doubt that she would answer with, “Being a Mother." She loved her children, Jacob Blotkamp, Colter Mumford and Drew Mumford, with all her heart and a little bit more. In close second to her children was Terise’s love for art. Her imaginative capacity was unmatched and from it she drew an astounding amount of creativity. Often found crafting, Terise refinished dressers, chairs and picture frames. She often knitted clothing, made jewelry, and gifted them widely. More than anything, she loved her rocks, stacking them, combining them into shapes of animals and birds that she saw, seeking out heart-shaped rocks to collect and gift to her daughter-in-law, Jamie Mumford. 

Beyond her capacity for art and creativity was Terise’s capacity to listen, openly and courageously, to all that confided in her; it was one of her defining characteristics. Terise touched a countless number of lives with her kindness and love in her more than 40 years as a hairdresser, 36 years as a mother, and 72 years on this Earth. She always had the time to listen, which made people feel seen and heard, a unique quality. It was in this way that she created tight and long-lasting bonds with all the people in her life. Her impact on others was apparent by the dozens of friends who came to visit her during her final days. Though her earthly light no longer shines, we who remain carry her light forward, passing it on to the next generation and those around us so that it may burn forever. 

Before Terise passed, she said, “When I get to the other side, I want to help people.” So, make sure you get out there and buy a lottery ticket!

Terise’s legacy lives on through her children, Drew Mumford of Helena and Colter Mumford of Bozeman; and in her immediate family, brother, Bart Blotkamp of Quincy, Massachusetts; brother, Rob (Deanna) Blotkamp of Anaconda; sister, Mary Arlee Freemole of Polson; and sister, Diane (Jeff) Reynolds of Helena. 

A private memorial will be held in Kalispell and a public Mass of the Resurrection will be held on June 29, 10:30 a.m. at the Holy Family Church in Anaconda.