Sylvia Christianson Casey (Toots to family and friends) passed away January 20, 2015 at St. Peter’s Hospital with her family at her side following a massive stroke.
She was born in Lincoln Valley Township near Fortuna, North Dakota February 9, 1926 where her parents farmed. The family moved to Helena when she was a junior in high school and, after attending grade school at country schools in North Dakota, she graduated from Helena High School.
During high school years, she worked at the Parrot and upon graduation she went to Vancouver, Washington and worked as a welder at the shop yards until after World War II. Returning to Helena, she worked at Western Life Insurance Company until she married John F. Casey and stayed home to raise Donald and Mary.
She was known for her work with many organizations from PTA to Scouts and Bluebirds. She was a member of Home Demonstration Club 19 and won a national award for her program to collect money to establish a Physical Therapy Department at Boulder School and Hospital and lobbied for money to hire their first therapist. She was Montana State President when Home Demonstration was changed to Extension homemakers.
She was a charter member of the York Community Club and of the Canyon Ferry Recreation Association and lobbied for the Marine Fuel Tax to be placed in the State Parks for Parks where there is motor boating.
She was appointed to the Governor’s Outdoor Recreation Committee, the Rural Areas Development Committee and the Montana State University President’s Advisory Committee.
When her children were grown, she was appointed by Governor Babcock as Montana’s Representative to the National Association of Women Highway Safety Leaders and continued to serve as Montana’s representative and Regional and National offices until she retired as Program Coordinator of the Montana Office of Highway Traffic Safety.
After her retirement, Sylvia and John traveled in their motor home throughout Mexico and Central America for over 20 years. They spent winters traveling and summers at their home on Canyon Ferry Lake and built a summer home in East Helena and bought a winter home in Florence, Arizona.
Sylvia will be remembered for her quick wit and was much sought after as a speaker and Mistress of Ceremonies for many organizations from trucker’s banquets to graduation speaker. She spoke at many National meetings, regional meetings as well as state meetings. She had friends throughout the country who will recall those occasions.
She was preceded in death by husband John, a son Donald, her parents, Clarence and Sophie Christianson, brothers Clinton and Clayton, sisters Christie, Priscilla, Lillian and Gladys. She is survived by her daughter Mary (Jack) Wallin of Johnstown, Colorado, Grandson Eric (Tracey) Wallin, Granddaughter Dawn (Malin) Rine, Great grandchildren TaRissa Wallin-Campbell, Evan Wallin, Cierra and Kyler Rine, and great great grandson Christian Klein, sister Ramona Baker and numerous nieces and nephews. Especially Esther (Paul) Fantry and Patti (Lee) Scott, and Rhonda Pursley who were so kind and thoughtful these later years and baked great cookies!!!
Cremation has taken place and a party in her memory/honor will be announced at a later date. The family suggests memorials to the Tom Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund, Wenatchee Valley College, 1300 Fifth Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801-1700 or another charity of your choice. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of ‘Toots’.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Jeff Peck says
Dear Mary,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom, she was such a wonderful lady. I will always have such fond memories of her and your father. I remember the Christmas parties as a child at the house in Helena, as well as all of the wonderful time at the lake. I had lost track of what was going on with her over the years since mom past away, and got busy with life. She had come more in our thoughts recently, as we now live in Casa Grande, Az.. We took a drive over to where they all had lived and drove past all of the homes, and relived many fond memories of our visits with everyone there. Those memories in large part lead us to make the decision to move here last fall. Hoping all else is well with you and your family.
Our sincere regrets,
Jeff and Kathy Peck
Diane Richter Pedersen says
Dear Mary and family.
I was sorry to hear that your mom passed away. She was a great person. I will never forget the wonderful times my family spent with your family and parents at the house on Canyon Ferry Lake. Your parents and my parents remained lifelong friends. Your mom always was kind and had a wonderful and sometimes wicked sense of humor. She never failed to give me a hard time whenever I had lunch with my mother, Mary Kropp and your mom. The last time I talked to her was when my mother passed away in 2013. I was so pleased to hear from her and enjoyed listening to the stories she shared about all their times together. May God Bless you and your family at this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, Diane Richter Pedersen.
Sylvia Slocum says
Mary and family,
We were sad to read of Sylvia’s passing. She was a great across the street neighbor to us on Winchester. We always enjoyed visiting with her. Our thought and prayers are with you.
God Bless you
Sylvia & Steve Slocum