Mary Lynell Helgeson, 91

Mary Lynell Helgeson — Sept. 22, 1934 — July 25, 2026

Mary was born in Butte in 1934 to Arthur and Charlotte Boyer. She had an older brother, Arthur Jr., and older sister, Charlotte Phoebe. The family lived in Butte until 1947 then moved to Mullan, Idaho, where Arthur was employed by the Federal Mining Company as an Engineer. 

Mary graduated from Mullan High School in 1952 and received a BA in Home Economics from the University of Montana in the spring of 1956. Mary married Donald Jutila, her high school sweetheart, in the fall of 1956 after he finished his military service. They had four daughters: Mary Ellen, Lynell, Beth and Susie. Don was employed at the Galena mine as a hard rock miner. He was killed in a mining accident February of 1966. 

Mary, having already been working as a substitute teacher, decided to go back to school to get her teaching certificate, acquiring credits from North Idaho College and Montana State University. Needing help caring for the girls while she worked and took classes, Mary relied on Aunt Katherine Leppala and hired Mary Smith, a local teen, to help out. Mary Smith became a lifelong friend. Mary spent 32 years teaching kindergarten and then first grade with her cohort, Peggy Prolo, at John Mullan Elementary. Clarence Helgeson entered Mary’s life in 1968 and they married in1969.

After their marriage, Clarence earned a BA and master’s in education and was hired as a sixth grade teacher at John Mullan Elementary. The family skied at Lookout Pass and loved to camp; time spent at Rock Creek over the Fourth with Mary’s parents, sister Charlotte, brother-in-law John Jutila and family being one of their favorite summer events. Mary taught swimming lessons at the Mullan pool, bowled on the Morning Club bowling team, loved doing a variety of arts and crafts, gambling with friends at casinos and spending time on the Oregon Coast. Mary was also part of a Mullan pinochle group for over 50 years creating lifelong bonds with all of the members. 

Mary and Clarence moved to Coeur d’ Alene in 2005 to be closer to medical facilities. After Clarence passed away in 2019, Mary moved to an assisted living facility in Pinehurst, then moved to the nursing home Cascadia in 2024 after having a serious fall. Mary had advanced dementia and died at 91 at Hospice North Idaho on July 25. Mary is survived by her sister, Charlotte Jutila of Bozeman, and daughters Mary Van Broeke (Bruce), Lynell Jutila, Beth Johnson (Levi), Susie Jutila-Walde (Jim) and a stepson, Bret Helgeson (Ellie). Seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Morning Club from 1 to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Mullan Historical Society P.O. Box 675 Mullan, ID 83846 or Friends of the Mullan Library P.O. Box 479 Mullan, ID 83846.