Helen Heier

Helen Louise Heier, 84, of Bozeman, passed away Friday, October 26, 2007, with her son Vince by her side. She was born February 21, 1923 in Missoula, MT, to parents Walter and Marion (Nelson) Anderson. When she was six months old they moved to Wilmington, CA. Her father died at the very young age of 30 leaving her mother with five young children. They moved to Warren, Minnesota to live with their grandfather for four years. Her mother remarried and she and her family moved to Springdale, MT. In 1937 the whole family moved to the Gallatin Valley to ranch. Helen graduated from Gallatin High School in 1941 and in the fall married Anton #8220;Tony#8221; Heier. They went to Oakland, CA so Tony could work in the Shipyards Welding. After two years Tony served in the US Army for 2 frac12; years. Following his honorable discharge they moved back to Bozeman in 1946. Their son Vince was born in 1948. Helen was a stay at home mom while Vince was young. Her first job was at the Bozeman Livestock Auction writing up buyers on Sale Days. She worked for J.C. Penney and Western Plumbing for short times. She then found her dream job, where she spent 17 years at the Bozeman Nursery School, six of those years she was the director. The nursery closed in 1983 when she retired. Helen was an avid bowler; she had 43 active years bowling. She was inducted in to the Bozeman Women#8217;s Bowling Hall of Fame. She was active in the VFW Auxiliary, belonged to the Eagles Aux and the Fort Ellis Women#8217;s Club. Helen was preceded in death by her parents: her husband Tony: sister Harriet Schleicher: and her brother Robert Anderson. Survivors include her son and daughter-in #8211;law Vince and Vince and Cathie; grandson Matt of San Diego, CA; 3 granddaughters Melissa of San Jose, CA , Heather and Ashley of Bozeman, MT; brother Warren #8220;Bud#8221; Anderson of Bozeman, MT; sister Jackie Mayer of Long Beach, CA. Helen loved so many and always said #8220;If loving is a sin, I am the biggest sinner of all#8221;. She loved to gamble (using good judgment of course) and made many friends at the local casinos. Cremation has taken place. A graveside memorial service will be held 1:30 pm, Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Family and friends please meet at 1:15 at Dahl Funeral Chapel for procession to the cemetery. Memorials may be made in her name to: Condolences may be sent to the family at www.dahlcares.com