Ada J. Harlen
Noted Helena attorney, Ada Jane Harlen, died on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. Ada’s 50 year law career began as a legal secretary, included participation in the Montana State Bar Tax and Probate Committee, and culminated with the founding of her own long standing Helena law firm, Harlen, Thompson & Parish, P. C. She was most proud of her time and service on the Montana State Bar Probate Committee assisting and educating fellow lawyers with Montana’s adoption of the Uniform Probate Code in 1969, and being able to practice law with her son, Tom, for 13 years. She remained active in her legal practice well into her 70’s.
Ada was born the fifth of six children in Chinook, Montana, on Nov.2, 1924. Her parents were both Norwegian immigrants who homesteaded in Montana. Her father, Oliver Paulson, eventually owned the lumberyard and then the Woolworths five & dime store. Attending high school in Chinook, she met Harry Harlen Jr., who played basketball, clarinet and lifeguarded at the city pool. He was two grades ahead of her, and while she went on to graduate as Valedictorian, he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific. He always complained that she would return his love letters with grammatical corrections in red.
Ada and Harry married April 7th, 1946, and moved to Helena. She went to work as a legal secretary for the law firm of Loble, Picotte & Pauly, while he worked for the VA at Fort Harrison. Rising to office manager, she discovered a love for the detailed work of estate planning, probate and trust administration. In 1960, she decided to take extension courses from Lasalle University in Chicago, and also enrolled at the University of Montana, where she passed her college equivalency exams, so she could enroll with the Montana Supreme Court as a law student and be seated for the Montana Bar Exam. Over the course of these years, Harry & Ada had three boys, Craig, Steve and Tom. While Harry, now Chief of Support Services at Fort Harrison, worked nights as a musician, she would study law as the boys watched TV.
Ada continued her studies and preparation to take the Montana State Bar exam, passed it, and was admitted to practice in 1969. After several years as an Associate, she left the Loble firm to start her own firm in 1978 where she specialized in probate and estate planning. Throughout her long career, Ada prided herself in educating the community on the basics of estate planning and protecting their families. She gave presentations throughout the community on these topics to interested groups.
Aside from the law, Ada was an avid gardener, proudest of her iris, roses and vegetables. And, as a true Norwegian, she loved baking her best cookie recipes throughout the year, enjoyed her lefsa with butter and never passed up a freshly baked Sandbakkel. She and Harry’s boys all married Helena girls (Linda Fowler, Peggy Utick & Suzy Iwen), and Ada doted on the six Grandchildren they gave her. The family often gathered at their cabin near York to pitch horseshoes, play & fish in the creek and barbeque. The grandchildren loved to hike and hunt at nearby Refrigerator Canyon.
Ada was a fixture at St. John’s Lutheran Church, serving as Treasurer and sitting on the Church Council. All her boys attended Helena High and she served on the Parents’ Advisory Council during the renovation of the track and field facilities at Vigilante Stadium.
After they retired, Harry & Ada wintered in Hawaii for 10 years. They gathered to blow their Conch shells at sunset every evening and lead dances to Harry’s clarinet by the pool. She loved to dance, although was heartbreakingly unsuccessful in passing any of this talent on to her sons.
She is survived by the following family: Craig & Linda Harlen (Coeur d’Alene, ID), grandchildren Eric Harlen and Kari (Leith)Sorenson & great granddaughter Gemma; Steve & Peg Harlen (Jesup, GA.), grandchildren Lisa (Wes) Blackwood & great granddaughters Carly & Sadie; and Amy (Cole) Dunaway & great granddaughters Mary Wynn & Lily; Tom & Suzy Harlen (Helena, MT), grandchildren Kevin Harlen (Adan Cooney) & great grandson Jackson; and Brent Harlen. Additionally, a sister, Margaret Averill, living in Nampa, ID.; a sister-in-law, Genevieve Paulson, of Chinook, MT.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Interment will be next to Harry at the Fort Harrison Veterans’ Cemetery. Due to pandemic restrictions, family services will be planned for a future date. Memorials and donations can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Ave., Helena, MT 59601. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Ada.
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.
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Peter and Michelle Van Nice says
So very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers.
Dan and Sandi Benson says
We were saddened to hear the news of Ada. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers… ‘God Bless’
Deena & Skip Verworn says
We were so sorry to hear about Adas passing. I respected and enjoyed her so very much. I will always remember her sense of humor and her sharp whit but most of all her strong love and pride for her family’. Blessings to all of you and we are thinking and praying for you all during this difficult time.
jeffrey sherlock says
So sorry to hear of Ada’s passing. She was an excellent attorney as well as a wonderful person. Peace to her family. 95 is pretty darn good!
Kathleen Broussard says
Tom and Suzy and family,
We are so very sorry about your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very difficult time.
Keith, Kathleen and Kory Broussard
Karen Bryson says
Dear Harlen families,
Condolences on the passing of your sweet mom! I always enjoyed visiting with her. She was quite a lady!
Karen Bryson
Donna Hulse says
Tom and Suzy and Family,
May hugs and warm wishes give you strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Alan and Donna Hulse
Val Hornsveld says
Tom and Suzy,
So sorry for you loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Val Hornsveld
John C. and Mait B. Board says
Ada was a remarkable and an unforgettable woman. She was always upbeat, friendly, and kind. She was, in short, unique and we shall miss her.
Joseph Anderson says
Tom and Suzy,
Melissa and I send our condolences to you and your mother’s entire family. She was a pillar of Helena. May Peace be with you during these sad times.
Mary Kay Bennett says
Ava & Harry are dancing in heaven!
We celebrate two lives well lived.
George & I admired them both..they were smart, good looking, driven and focused.
Our condolences to the family.
Mary Kay & George
Liz Scholz says
Tom and Susie and Harlan Family, I am saddened by the loss of Ada a lovely lady with old fashion charm, so talented and so charming, it was a pleasure knowing her. You don’t meet ladies like Ada anymore. Now she is with her handsome dancing partner, enjoying being together ready to start another journey. I will miss such a gentle lady.
Renee Pipinich says
She was my mom’s attorney. My mom thought she was an amazing woman!! Rest in peace
Ardis Loberg says
Prayers to all of Ada’s family as you grieve the loss of your wonderful matriarch. My mom, Aggie Whitman Steiner, recalls that Ada was responsible for helping Mom to stay sane throughout her legal difficulties. They remained friends for many years afterward, and Mom always spoke of Ada with admiration and gratitude. God bless and keep you all in his care. Rest in peace, dear Ada.
Mike and Lisa Harvey says
Condolences Tom, Suzy and family. Your mom lived a full life and now you have all the memories that were a part of it. Peace to your family.
Dorothy McCarter says
My very deepest sympathies to the family. Ada was a gifted attorney and a wonderful human being. She has left the world a better place.
Kirk Booth says
Sorry for your loss Tom. Many great memories of your mom.
God bless cousin, enjoy life .
Audrey SaariWilkins says
It saddens my heart to know of Ada’s passing. My aunt/adoption mother Lyyli Saari worked for Harry Harlen at Fort Harrison. After Ada became an attorney, Lyyli and her husband, Emil used her legal services throughout their lives. They always trusted her and spoke very highly of her. When I became an adult I also used her services. Ada didn’t just carry out what you thought you wanted to do. She was a true counselor and advised you on the possible outcomes of various decisions. I shall never forget her. My husband Garth Wilkins and I send our sincere condolences to her family. Sincerely, Audrey Saari-Wilkins
Ross Cannon says
My sympathies to Ada’s family. I remember her from her days as the office manager at Loble and Picotte before she became an attorney. She had an outstanding career as an attorney and was highly respected by members of the local bar. She will be missed.
Howard Haines says
I am saddened to hear of Ada’s passing. She was always telling of how she played golf with Arnold Palmer and a number of other things she used to do. You will all be in my prayers. God bless.
Barbara J. Evans says
I was greatly saddened to hear of Ada’s passing. I got to know her over the last five years at Touchmark, where she befriended my mother, Doris Evans Casebolt. They became good friends and Ada always looked after Mom, making darn sure that she was served what she ordered and the like. She was a born advocate—a real pistol!
I admired her greatly and will miss the twinkle in her eye, her sardonic wit, and her intellect, which was intact to the end. My condolences to her family. She surely will be missed.
Tari Nelson-Zagar says
Dear Harlans! So sorry to hear of Ada’s passing. I know the entire Nelson family has you in our thoughts. Ada, Harry, Isabel, & Blackie did have some adventures, the ones I remember mostly were at musician’s union picnics! My folks always shared their love & respect for her with me, and while I didn’t know her well, I always had a great time in her company, and have warm memories of her. May her memory be a blessing to all of you.
John and Gwynn Mundinger says
It was always a pleasure to visit with Ada at St. John’s Lutheran church. We admire Ada for recognizing her talents and then pursuing a way to prepare for her career in law. She was generous with her love for people. We miss this elegant member of our community.