Irene Heikkila Newman

Irene Heikkila Newman, 72, of Missoula, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2013 at The Living Centre of Stevensville, from cancer.
Rene, as known to her friends, was born on December 30, 1940, in
Spokane, Wa, to Neil and Hazel (Aktepy) Heikkila. As a young girl, she lived with her family in the lower Rattlesnake, in a home that her dad built. She was educated at the Lincoln School, then to the Prescott school. She graduated from the Missoula County High School, and continued her education at the University of Montana, enrolling in the Equestrian Program when they had a riding stable as part of their curriculum.
In 1962 she was married, and the union produced a daughter, Laurie, and a son, Matthew. She enjoyed spending times with her family at their cabin in Condon, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. One of her many memories was the time spent following the Horse Show circuit with her kids, watching them compete in various equestrian events, and winning many competitions. She was an accomplished seamstress, so many hand-beaded outfits were made for Laurie's horse show competitions. She loved her "horse show family" and looked forward to summers spent with all of them. Another proud moment was traveling to Ann Arbor, MI to watch her son, Matthew, an accomplished figure skater, compete at the National Championships, being awarded 2nd place in his division.
Rene spent a lot of her married life as a homemaker, but also was involved in various home renovations, and building projects that her dad, Neil, was known for his Swiss Chalet Style of build, with a European influence.
Her career path took her in many different directions, working at Marie's Arteries, where her Art career got its start, teaching Watercolor classes, Homeworks Hardware, and Chico's, where she made many friends that she considered her "2nd Family". Thanks Teresa & Amy!
Rene enjoyed spending quality time helping and watching her grandchildren, Jordan and Kyle (Watkins) grow up and enjoying their many adventures of Outlaw Kart racing, snowmobiling, hunting and horse shows. She especially enjoyed her vacations to Disney World with them.
Rene was grateful to the special people that cared for her in her last days, the endless visits, support from Mem (Dahlstrom) Hage, her Rattlesnake best friend, and always considered her home, her 2nd home growing up; Suzanne Johnson, her "rock" and support that got her through a lot of things, Evelyn Vaughn, her "fashionista" gal pal from childhood, Bev Hays, whom held her hand til the end, and Bobbie, whom always said, "that's a Rene-ism". Thank you for the numerous visits from her 2nd family, her gals she worked with. Thank you for all your kind words, and little things that made things better.
Thank you to Partners Hospice, Pam and Wendy, you are amazing, the staff at The Living Centre Stevensville for being so wonderful and making her last moments better, to Jean, for being there until the end, Ausra and Tyler, God Bless, and Dr. Hubbard, for all your care for years.
Survivors include: daughter, Laurie (Watkins) Missoula, Son, Matthew Newman, (Tekoa, Wa), 2 grandchildren, Jordan and Kyle (Watkins) Missoula, Brothers, Jay (Janet) Heikkila (Hamilton), Brian (Carol) Heikkila (Atlanta, Ga), Niece, Dr. Jenny (Heikkila), Nephews, James Heikkila (Los Angeles, Ca), Brian Heikkila (passed) and numerous relatives and best friends.
A Gathering of Life will be in the early summer at the Rattlesnake Gardens, a place she loved to have lunch and spend time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Partners Hospice, or Hospice chapter of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.


Read Irene Newman's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.