Adeline Settle, musician and devoted servant to her family, church and community passed away January 18, 2011 in Helena, Montana.
She was born April 18, 1923 in Hibbing, Minnesota, the middle daughter of Arvid and Marion Mattila. Naturally athletic, she enjoyed swimming, playing tennis with her older brothers and skiing until her mid-eighties. “Ad” possessed “sisu,” the strength of spirit and vitality characteristic of the arctic people of Finnish ancestry. Gifted at piano and voice she received her degree in music education from the University of Minnesota. After the war she ventured west to central Montana to teach music. There she fell in love and married Martin Settle, a rancher from the confluence of the Musselshell Rivers. They joined the baby boom with three children and eventually sold the old Settle Ranch. They then started a second cattle ranch at Canyon Creek, MT where they lived for the remainder of their active lives. Adeline and Martin were well matched; good listeners, avid readers, intellectually independent, devoted to one another, and physically a pairing of strength and vitality.
Guided by her Christian faith she moved through life, always in motion using her love of music to give tempo and harmony to her journey. Ad was a teacher in the public schools and she mastered cooking and gardening as a part of her responsibilities on the ranch. Her life was filled with caring for her family, and teaching her children and volunteering as a Girl Scouts leader. She was also a member of the School Board, United Way, 4H leader, Belmont Ski Club, a church organist, and baked for the elderly and infirm. She was an organizer of women, founding and leading groups within Our Redeemers Lutheran Church. Additionally she became Chair of the Montana Cattle Women. In her later years, Ad and Martin enjoyed winters in Honolulu embracing the warmth, color, and music of the island paradise.
Ad held her emotions in check, as is common with her people, choosing her word for effect, ever the teacher. Near the end of her years she lost her ability to speak, yet she expressed herself with her music. When her dear Martin passed away her great sorrow poured outward in her private piano playing which bore a truly remarkable strength and depth of emotion.
Adeline was preceded in death by her siblings, Jack Mattila, Wilbur Mattila, Eleanor Dahl and Mel Mattila; her son, Dr. Stephen Settle; and grandson, Sean Luptovic. She is survived by her sister, Joen Jacobsen; daughter, Sue Luptovic; and son, Dr. Scott Settle; daughter-in-law, Kelly Flaherty-Settle; granddaughter, Maggie Settle of Canyon Creek; and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Big Sky Care Center, St. Peter’s Hospice, the Waterford on Saddle Drive and our many friends for their support and kindness during the past year. The family will receive friends Sunday evening, January 23, 2011 from 4-6 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home at 650 Logan St. in Helena. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 24, 2011 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church at 1400 Stuart Street with a lunch reception to follow in the church. Interment will follow at 1:45 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 7100 N. Montana Avenue, Helena. In lieu of flowers, please enjoy some special music.
Donations may be made to Our Redeemers Lutheran Church, 1400 Stuart Street Helena MT, 59601, Canyon Creek Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 464, Canyon Creek, MT 59633 or the charitable organization of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Bob Samson says
Scott, Kelley, & Family,
Sorry to hear of you Mom’s passing. Trust that your faith will bring you strength, and in time, the peace that the memories of time together will bring
Take care.
Bob
Candace Durran says
Dear Kelly and family. I am sorry to hear of the loss of Ad. She sounds like a wonderful woman, and I am sure she will be missed greatly.
Sincerely,
Candace Durran
Carla Teigen says
Dear Sue & Scott,
What a beautifully written obituary!
Way to go.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
You selected a great picture, too.
Take care.
God Bless You, Carla
Carol E. Kalberg Bonner says
Sue, Scott & families,
While growing up, I remember all the visits between family homes, church activities, and Ad being Lou’s godmother. You did a beautiful tribute to your parents & I will be keeping you in my thoughts during this time.
Sincerely,
Carol
Dan McGowan says
Scott, Kelly and Maggie:
My thoughts and prayers are with you. You all certainly have a lot of terrific memories to cherish. I will especially remember Ad’s friendship, support and candor during our time on the Canyon Creek School Board.
Deb Stansberry says
Scott, Sue and family,
so very sorry to hear of Ad’s
passing. She was a very remarkable woman, ever the lady and friend. She is with Marty now and I can only imagine what a reunion that is!! God bless…….
Deziah Gilliam says
Scott and Family I am so sorry to hear of your moms passing, Just to think she can be happy once again with Marty is a great thought. If we can do anything please let us know.
Harold Goetzman says
Sue and Scott,
I am sorry that I was not able to come to Montana with Diane, but would like to extend my sympathy on the loss of your Mom.I think losing your Mom is always hard no matter what age you are as they are very special people in our lives.We were lucky to see them in Hawaii whenever we went and enjoyed the visits. I felt like part of the family with Ad and Marty, which I will always remember.Take care!! Harold
Janelle Fallan says
Dear Sue and family, I am so sorry to read about Ad. Both your parents were such terrific people. Another of the Greatest Generation gone.
Fondly, Janelle Fallan & Ken Dunham
Jody Sandru says
Sue, Scott, and Family:
Thinking of you and remembering your remarkable mom. I love the stories of her teaching music and directing the plays at the CC School. May it bring you peace to know she is reunited with your father, and may your memories give you comfort during this fragile time!
Margie & Jake Jacobsen says
To the family of Adeline Settle, We were so very sorry to hear of Ads passing. How fortunate we were to meet her and Marty in Hawaii and low and behold they were almost neighbors in Montana. Had some wonderful visits here and at the ranch, when we would be traveling thru to Dillon from our home in Shelby, and, of course, Ad always had the coffee on the some of her special goodies. Ad and I (Margie) became acquantied thru a Ukulele class in Hawaii. We also attended the same church there and enjoyed her singing with the church choir. Such a wonderful, caring lady. Pray all the wonderful memories of your time together will help to cope with her loss. The Lord be with you all at this difficult time and give you peace of mind that she is now back with her soulmate and they are together for evermore. Much Aloha, Margie and Everett (Jake) Jacobsen
morris deering says
I Send my heartfelt fellings for the family. Sorry I could not attend the service but am there in thoughts.. Morris Deeering, Pres. of Harlo class of 1948..
Randy Routzahn says
Our prayers are with you and your family at this time with the loss of Ad.
Sue and Tom Orr says
Dear Scott and Kelly:
Tom and I send our condolences on the loss of your mom. As we have both lost our parents in the last few years, we know how difficult it is, but also know she is at peace. Please know our thoughts are with you.
The Very Rev. Stephen Brehe says
Dear Scott, Sue and family
I will, at your suggestion, listen to some great music in honor of a great woman, “Ad.” Through the years I admired both Marty’s and Ad’s great faith and both of them were inspirations. Now that I am retired I am away in the winter, so I will not be able to attend services, but I will offer prayers. God bless all of you,
Steve
Tim and Anita VanderMolen says
Tim worked for Marty and Ad in the mid 1980’s. They were both amazing people.
Our thoughts and prayers to you.
Tim and Anita