Helen M. Johnson

Helen Mead Johnson went to meet her Lord and Savior on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, of natural causes.

Helen was born in Cody, Wyo., to Charles and Dorothy Mead on Oct. 12, 1934. Helen spent her early years in Cody, but moved with her family to Montana in 1938. The Mead family purchased what became the Mead Ranch at Cyr and Helen, as well as her siblings, enrolled in the Alberton schools, where they all graduated from high school – Helen in 1952.

Upon graduation, Helen enrolled at St. Patrick School of Nursing in Missoula, but soon had a change of heart and decided to elope with the love of her life, Loryl Johnson, who had joined the Navy. They were married at Baldwin Park, Calif., on May 2, 1953, and resided in San Diego, where their son Glen was born in January 1955.

In March of '55, upon Loryl's honorable discharge, the Johnsons returned to Montana and Loryl went to work for Helean Logging Co. while Helen settled in as a homemaker and mother. In March 1956, she gave birth to their second child, Laurel "Laurie," and it wasn't long before their second daughter, Tracey, was born in November 1958. Always the consummate mother, Helen loved her children and, at this time of her life, could usually be found close to her Maytag wringer washer doing laundry or her Majestic wood range cooking meals.

In 1960, Helen and Loryl bought their small ranch at Quartz, where she continued to live until her death. Not only did Helen continue with her motherly duties when they moved but as the children got older, Helen decided to branch out and got a job working in town for one of the local doctors. Helen held various jobs over the years, one of which was as a janitor at the DAW Lumber Mill. Those who worked with her still remember her daily journey, going from break room to break room, pulling her "little red wagon" full of cleaning supplies.

Helen could do about anything, but her favorite job was her last. In the mid-'80s, she started driving school bus for the Superior School District, and before long Helen added the title of "head cook" for Superior's school lunch program to her resume, a position she held until her retirement. Helen always loved sports and even after her kids and grandkids no longer competed, she continued to follow the Superior Bobcats both on and off the field.

Helen's hobby was horses, and she was very proud of the appaloosas that Loryl and she raised. Helen loved to ride and even took part in the Nez Perce Trail Memorial Ride a couple of times. She was an original member of the Skyline Drifters Mounted Drill Team and often drove her horse and buggy in local parades.

Helen adored her Lord and Savior and served him in many ways. In the early years, she always had vacation Bible school, and even Sunday services, at her house and in the summer served several years as a "nurse" at Camp Utmost Bible Camp. Helen supported various missions and missionaries, as evidenced by her very lengthy prayer list, and was an original member of the Superior Community Church. Mrs. Johnson was instrumental in helping to get the present church built and was an avid supporter of its Awana program.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Loryl; parents, Charles and Dorothy Mead; brother, Chuck Mead; and grandson, Chris Ireland. She is survived by her son, Glen (Ann) of Dillon; daughters, Laurie (Kelly) Johnston of Superior and Tracey (Ian) Ireland of Lewistown; granddaughter, Jamie Johnston (Michael) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; grandsons, Tim (Dusty) Johnston of Troy, Idaho, Shawn (Amy) Ireland of Eugene, Ore., Joshua (Michelle) Johnson of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Zachary (Danie) Johnson of Butte; siblings, Barbara (Roy) Worden of Aurora, Colo., Margaret (Gary) O'Hara of Springfield, Mo., and Harvey (Muriel) Mead of Cyr; and several nieces and nephews.

At Helen's request, no services will be held at this time, but a memorial barbecue will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Superior Community Church, Rocky Mountain Bible Mission or to a charity of choice.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Read Helen Johnson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.