Carol J. (Helland) Lietz, 86

Carol J. (Helland) Lietz, 86, of the Flathead Valley, was born Dec. 8, 1939, between Whitefish and Columbia Falls and graduated from Whitefish High School in 1957.

In 1964, she married Peter Tanner in Spokane. Their son Craig was born in Gold Beach, Oregon, where Pete served as a pastor. The family returned to Whitefish in 1967 where their second son, Shane, was born in 1968. After Carol and Pete divorced, she married Harold Lietz in 1972. Harold’s daughters, Coleen and Beverly, became part of her extended family.

Carol operated a daycare for several years, forming lasting friendships with many of the children she cared for. She later worked in the title insurance industry until retiring in 2004.

She enjoyed wildflower photography, scrapbooking, singing, and playing the accordion and ukulele. Carol and Harold met through dancing and spent many years active in square‑dancing groups around the valley. She loved hiking, biking, tending her flower gardens, and traveling throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Her faith was central to her life, and she was a devoted member of Christ Lutheran Church.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Edith Helland; her sisters, Ruth Browder and Mavis Moore; and her brother, Ordean Helland.

She is survived by her husband, Harold; her sons, Craig and Shane Tanner; her stepdaughters, Coleen Chiles and Beverly Sanchez; and a large extended family of grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She will be remembered for her devotion to family, her love of music and nature, and her warm, adventurous spirit.

Services are pending. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family.