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Helen Jeanette Montez passed away on Jan. 4, 2020, at the Powell Valley Care Center at the age of 97.
She was born on Nov. 1, 1922, in Missoula, Montana, to Earl and Jessie Pickering Hull. Helen’s father died of appendicitis when she was 2 years old. After his passing, Helen and her mother moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where she attended school until third grade. In October 1930, Helen and her mother moved to Spooner, Wisconsin, where her mom found work as a housekeeper.
Helen graduated high school in 1941. That same year, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and worked as an elevator girl in the Francis Drake Hotel. Her favorite story to tell of this time was where she met Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, in 1942. She remained in Minnesota for many years.
In 1948, she moved to Greybull where she worked as a waitress at Parker’s Café. She married Robbie Robinson of Greybull on Jan. 1, 1950. From this union they were blessed with two daughters, Karen and Barb. They divorced in 1954.
She married Ralph Christiansen of Red Lodge, Montana, on Aug. 18, 1954. To this union they were blessed with one son, Mike. They divorced in 1960.
In 1965, Helen and her three children moved to Worland, Wyoming, where Karen, Barb and Mike grew up and attended the Worland schools.
She married John J. Montez of Cedar Hill, Colorado, on Aug. 30, 1965. John worked in the oil fields and was offered a job in Powell, where they moved in 1974. After 44 years of marriage, John passed away in 2010. After his passing, Helen remained in Powell, where she was a stay-at-home grandma.
Helen’s interests included reading, embroidery, stamp collecting, fishing, hunting, and planting flowers. She also enjoyed watching WCW wrestling and her favorite wrestler was Goldberg.
Helen was preceded in death by her father and mother, Earl and Jessie Hull; her husband, John Montez; and her daughter, Karen Gregerson.
Helen is survived by daughter Barb Robinson of Casper, Wyoming; son, Mike Christiansen of Powell; daughter-in-law JoEllen Argento of Powell; son-in-law Gary Gregerson of Reno, Nevada; six grandchildren, Terry Richard of Reno, Nevada, Kim Richard (Teri Christian) of Vacaville, California, Chris Richard of Worland, Brad (Bel) Christiansen of Gillette, Wyoming, Krista Christiansen (John Copping) of Gillette, Wyoming, Breann Christiansen of Powell, Wyoming; and nine great-grandchildren: Harlan, Christian, Joseph, Cobi, Tayvin, Kyler, Sydnee, Gerad, and Ethan.
Celebration of Life will be April 18, 2020, the time place to be determined at a later date. A memorial service will be April 19, 2020, at Crown Hill Cemetery, the time to be determined at a later date.
