Helen Virginia Norgaard (Saddler)

Helen Virginia (Saddler) Norgaard died peacefully Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at Bee Hive Assisted Living in Missoula. She was 97.

Helen was born in a log cabin on April 14, 1918, the eldest of five daughters born to Clyde and Grace Saddler of Puposki, Minnesota. Her maternal grandparents, Charlie and Catherine Durand, had a large farm, and her uncle, Carl Durand, owned the general store in Puposky, where Helen's first memories were of attending first grade and of riding with her father as he delivered mail by horse-drawn buggy. She married Herbert Norgaard on Dec. 8, 1934, in Bemidji, Minnesota, and they moved to western Montana where Herbert worked for the Forest Service until his death in 1954.

As a widow with two sons in school, Helen then began her own long career in the Forest Service at the Lolo National Forest in Missoula. Colleagues who attended her 1983 retirement dinner honored her with glowing testimonials as to her cheerful disposition, good character, loyalty to friends and outstanding professionalism. She was always that special. The many longtime friends and three generations of her family who came to her 90th birthday luncheon in April 2008 in Missoula spoke of her dignity and grace in times of horrific pain and loss. They called her funny, straight-talking and spunky. They praised her beautiful dark eyes, and her skill at cooking, cards and dancing. They said she energized life wherever she was, and that knowing her was a joy and a blessing.

In Helen's own words: "I love the outdoors, the beautiful mountains, rivers, flowers, traveling and exploring new horizons. Most of all, I enjoyed my wonderful family. Family gatherings were so very special to me."

Helen will be greatly missed by her loving and grateful family and her many dear friends. She is survived by sons, Stan (Jan) Norgaard and Roger Norgaard (Sonja Manley); sister, Dorothy Johnson of Kalispell; grandchildren, Wendy (Doug) Knight, Steven (Karen) Norgaard, Carrie (Mark) Courter and Cordell (Dara) Norgaard; great-grandchildren, Lindsay and Piper Knight and Adam and Charlie Norgaard; nephew, Tim Anderson; nieces, Shannon Stevens, Nola Rice, Penny and Linda; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. John Shoemaker, her dearest companion for over 30 years, preceded her in death in 2013.

Our family is especially appreciative for Janet Kenter and Mary Thibaudeau, and Bee Hive employees for their loyal friendship and love to the end. Also, special appreciation to her sister-in-law, Susie Norgaard from Anchorage, Alaska, for her tender care and helping her heal from an automobile accident while returning to Montana from a family reunion.

A celebration of Helen's life will be held at a date to be determined in the summer of 2016 at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula. She will be buried next to Herbert in the Missoula Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Helen's name to the American Cancer Society.

Funeral arrangements are under care and direction of Garden City Funeral Home.


Read Helen Norgaard's Obituary and Guestbook.