Deborah Ann House Walter, 67, of East Helena, MT passed away surrounded by loved ones in the early morning hours on December 10th, 2017 at St. Peter’s Hospital.
Debbie was born in Helena, MT on September 8th, 1950 to Donald & Dolores House. She received her education at Broadwater, Hawthorne, CRA, Helena Junior High & Helena Senior High School where she was an active member of the National Thespian Society once awarded Best Thespian Girl. She graduated from Helena Senior High School on June 6th, 1968. She furthered her education taking classes at the Helena VoTech.
After graduating from high school Debbie married Edward William Walter Jr. on September 20th, 1969 at St. Peter’s Pro-Cathedral. Debbie & Ed went on to have three beautiful children, Stephen, Stephanie & Kimberley. They later divorced on December 3rd, 1993. She later met Stephen Robert Gray with whom she spent the last 22 years of her life.
Debbie worked for the A & W, BCBS, Clerk Typist for The State of Montana Department of Administration Purchasing Division, Secretary for the Department of Administration General Services, East Helena School District #9 & State of Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Fiscal Bureau. Debbie retired from The State of Montana in May of 2014 after 36 ½ years with the State of Montana.
She had many hobbies over the years including bowling, sewing, ceramics, gardening, baking goodies for her children & grandchildren for the holidays, puzzles, traveling, dancing, game nights & camping trips with friends & family. Many of her camp trips were with her Girl Scout Troop to Camp Thunderbird on McDonald Pass.
In her youth Debbie was a Girl Scout & also a member of the Order of Rainbow for Girls earning top honor, The Grand Cross of Color Award. She participated in teen modeling & fashion shows through Hennessy’s department store.
She spent countless hours over the years volunteering her time to the following organizations: Boy Scouts of America as a Cub Scout Leader, Secretary & Committee Chairman, Girl Scout Leader, East Helena PTA Organizer & Membership Chair, East Helena Kiwanis Baseball, Softball & T-ball Coach, YMCA Youth Soccer Coach, Red Cross Organizer & was a Unit Worker for Blood Drawings, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Member & Youth Activities Coordinator, East Helena Centennial Committee, East Helena Food Drive Coordinator & Volunteer, HHS Class of ’68 Ten-year Reunion Committee Member and Twenty-year Reunion Committee Chairman, Capital City Speedway and St. Peter’s Pro-Cathedral.
Debbie was “Mom” to many. Mom opened her door to many extended family members, foreign exchange students and East Helena kids taking many in to live with her and her family. To this day Debbie is still “Mom” to them all.
Debbie is preceded in death by Father, Donald House, Mother, Dolores House, infant Brother, Douglas House, Step-Mother, Sue House, Sister-in-Law, Paula House, Nephew Mike’s Wife, Tracey House, Ex-Husband, Edward Walter and dogs Wizard & Sammy.
Debbie is survived by her partner in life Steve Gray. Son, Stephen Walter, Daughters, Stephanie Walter (Nettie), & Kimberley (Russ) Ring. Steve’s children Katie (Brad) Anderson & Kelly (Arely) Gray. Brother, Dick House & his children Jeff (Connie) House, Vince (Kathy) House, Mike House & Shawna (Jeff) Deadmond. Brother, Dennis (Laurie) House & his children Heidi (Steve) McCarthy & Heather (Todd) Heintz. Grandchildren, Derek & Delanie Walter, Kylee, Madison & Allison Ring, Hannah Anderson & Myah Gray. Fur Babies, Cat Sweat Pea & Dogs Gizmo, Mr. Magoo & Ozzie.
The family would like to give special thanks to the doctors & staff at St. Peter’s Hospital for the excellent care & dedication to our mother in her final days. We would also like to thank all our family & friends for reaching out and your support during this difficult time.
Memorial Services will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home located at 3750 North Montana Avenue, Helena, MT 59602 at 3:00 p.m. Friday December 15th, 2017. A gathering of family & friends to honor mom’s memory will be held immediately following the service at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Social Hall. Debbie’s wish was to have her ashes spread over the ocean which will occur at a later date. She will have a resting place at Forestvale Cemetery next to her mom.
Memorial Donations in honor of mom can be made to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society located at 2112 East Custer Avenue, Helena, MT 59602. Family condolences may be sent to Stephanie Walter 3013 Arendelle Drive, East Helena, MT 59635.
Enjoy your eternal life with loved ones that have passed before you. Fly high our guardian angel aka Butch, Toots & Old Bat love Chicken Butt, Kaycee, Spud & Little Sh!t.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
3:00 p.m.
Friday December 15, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena , Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following her celebration of life
Friday December 15, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
3:00 p.m.
Friday December 15, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena , Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following her celebration of life
Friday December 15, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Leah Thompson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Scott and Leah
Vanessa Tolson says
Kim & family, so sorry for your loss. Thoughts & prayers to the entire family.
Michelle McInerney says
So sorry to hear about your Mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
AJ PLEASANTS says
I remember all the Girl Scout camps, meetings, and so many other great memories from being a kid with Deb as my Girl Scout leader and so many more. Sorry for your loss.
Pat Reddick says
Remembering your mom with a smile, camp Thunderbird sleepovers, she would always wear those pink spongy curlers at night so her hair would stay curled. Thinking about you all,
Daniell Redden says
Thoughts and prayers are with the family. Deb was a great Girl Scout leader. She raised some AMAZING kids!!!
Love to you all!!
Daniell
J.T. Quillin says
Steve, Steph, and Kim. Words can’t express the sorrow I feel for you all. Your mom was one of the nicest people I had ever known growing up. She always had a kind word for me every time we spoke. She was an amazing lady.My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jay Reardon says
Steve Steph and Kim, So sorry to here about your Mom. I have great memories of you guys and my kids growing up on Riggs street together. your folks were great neighbors. thoughts and prayers for all of you!
Jay Reardon
Sara Medley says
Steph,
I am so sorry for your loss. Though I didn’t know your Mom, I know you – and she must have been so proud to have you as her daughter.
Please know that your professional family is thinking of you at this time of need.
Sara Medley
Terri Maness Norman says
Steve, Steph, and Kim,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all—so sorry for your loss.
Hank Becky Adams says
Steve Steph, Kim
Our thoughts and prayers So sorry for Your loss
Mary Beth Goodian (Waples) says
Steve, Stephie and Kim,
I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. My deepest sympathy to all of you. I have the most fond memories of watch all of you grown up with my sons. Many, many memories of all the Boy Scout activities that we were all involved in. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for any of you. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Pete Stiles says
Steph (Spud)
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your mom and I had great respect for each other and always greeted each other when our paths crossed. She always called me coach. It was my pleasure and honor of knowing her.
Respectfully
Coach Stiles
G Scott Lockwood says
Debbie was one of my first friends as a 10 year old moving back to Helena. We had fun just kicking around the neighborhood. As an adult she was so pleasant and helpful in planning our Helena High School Class of 68 reunions. We will miss her greatly at our 50th next Sept. Rest In Peace
Marsha Baumeister says
Don and Dolores House were our neighbors in 1960. My brother Scott Lockwood and I had much fun hanging about with Dennis and Debbie.
Our heartfelt condolences to all Debbie’s loved ones. May she rest in eternal peace.
Marsha (Lockwood) Baumeister and Max Baumeister
JeriAnn Logan says
I am so sad to hear of Deb passing. I always think of her with a smile and know that she will always be watching over those she loves.
JeriAnn Lantz Logan