Jeanne Helen  Younger

Jeanne Helen Wick Younger, 89, was born April 4, 1927 and passed away in peace from natural causes on December 7, 2016 at Rosetta Assisted Living in Missoula, Montana. Born in Langdon, North Dakota to Louis and Helen Wick, the family then moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota in 1939. Jeanne graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1944. While attending St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, she met Walter Younger of St. Cloud, Minnesota. They were married on April 19, 1947.
After Walt’s graduation from Notre Dame in 1949, they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1954, their growing family relocated to Havre, Montana and then to Helena in 1962. With a true pioneer constitution, Jeanne and Walt raised nine children. Jeanne’s love of children motivated her to open a day care in the family home from 1966 to 1985. Jeanne and Walt were divorced in 1980 and remained friends. Walt died in 1983.
Jeanne’s adventurous spirit led her to volunteer with the Peace Corps where she worked in the health care field while in Honduras from 1986 to 1988. There she met Al Carpenter from Ohio and they married in 1989. Al and Jeanne spent winters in Arizona playing golf, enjoying time together and with friends, and savoring life. Al died unexpectedly in 2005.
In October 2014, Jeanne moved to Missoula, Montana to be closer to family and receive some assistance in her life journey. She had a special bond with her granddaughter Sarah, sharing stories of her adventures through the years and her unique perspective on life. Her daughter Mary and granddaughters Sarah and Marisa had many heartwarming moments with her as did other family members who visited over the years.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her son Michael in 1975, daughter Theresa in 1996, husbands Walter and Al, her brothers Fred and Tom, and her parents. She is survived by her children, James of Baltimore, MD, Thomas (Anita) of Madison, WI, Mary (Nick) of Missoula, MT, William (Jan) of Austin, TX, Christopher of Albuquerque, NM, Gregory of Helena, MT, John (Vanessa) of San Rafael, CA and sisters Marge Collins of Anoka, MN and Marlys Tobias of Lafayette, CA. Grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends cherish her memory. With her contagious smile and fierce determination, Jeanne will also be sorely missed by the caring staff at Rosetta Assisted Living as well as her Returned Peace Corps Volunteer friends. A devout Catholic and longtime greeter at the Cathedral of St. Helena, Jeanne developed many special friendships with all who knew her. Her spark will remain with us forever. Godspeed Jeanne.

A memorial service will be held at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula on Friday, December 16, 2016 at 4:00pm. A reception will follow.

Jeanne’s Celebration of Life will be held in Helena, MT with a funeral mass and memorial reception at the Cathedral of St. Helena on April 4, 2017 (Jeanne’s 90th birthday).

Condolences and memories can be left for the family at www.gardencityfh.com
Donations can be made in Jeanne’s name to the Helena Food Bank, the Helena Intermountain Deaconess Home for Children or the charity of your choice.