Amedie F. ‘Bud’ Iwen, age 84, of Helena.
On April 4, 2022, surrounded by his wife and children, Bud Iwen passed away at Touchmark in Helena, MT.
Bud was born March 11th, 1938, in Froid, MT to Ada and Austin Iwen, the seventh of nine children. Bud and his wife, Mary Helen, met at Wolf Point High School and married June 16, 1959. They have 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Bud was raised in Wolf Point and graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1956. He continued his education at Jamestown college in North Dakota, transferring to Carroll College and graduating in 1960 with a B.A. degree in English.
Bud was Bureau Chief at United Press International, and a broadcaster on Radio and TV. He was employed by Carroll College for three different positions and was a season ticket holder for both football and basketball for many years. People may remember his voice from announcing local games. He was honored to be named the Montana Sportscaster of the Year in 1964 and 1968. He finished out his career at Shodair Hospital as foundation director.
Bud and Mary Helen are members of St. Helena Cathedral Parish and Bud was Parish Council president in 1974. Many friendships began at the Cathedral and his involvement with the Helena Lions Club also led to lasting relationships they treasured.
On Sundays during the summer, after attending mass at the Helena Cathedral, Bud and Mary Helen would pack up the family and picnic food to spend the afternoon at Moose Creek Campground with the Crants family. While the adults were enjoying their quality time, the children would “accidentally” fall into the creek. Those moments at Moose Creek created long-lasting memories for friends and family. To this day, the kids continue to reminisce and cherish those times spent with their dad. Another valued family tradition was to load the family station wagon and head North to the hi-line to visit relatives in Wolf Point. These yearly trips solidified family relationships between Bud and his brothers, nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at Touchmark and Encompass for their aid and compassion during this difficult time.
Bud is survived by his wife Mary Helen; children Suzy (Tom) Harlen, Jackie (Randy) Schmoldt, Chelle (Larry) Fields, Helen (Ward) Yuhas, Ken (Tona) Iwen; Grandchildren: Kevin (Adan Cooney) Harlen, Brent Harlen, Danielle (Chris) Hurley, Nicole (Pierce) Nolan, Jacob Yuhas, Bryson Yuhas, Mackenzie Iwen, Michaela Iwen, and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Carroll College 1601 N Benton Ave Helena, MT 59625 with the memo line “Bud Iwen”.
A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 11, 2022 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave.
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
10:00 a.m.
Monday April 11, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
10:00 a.m.
Monday April 11, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Kathleen Broussard says
Suzy, Kenny, and families
We are so very sorry about your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Keith, Kathleen, and Kory Broussard
Launita V Solomon says
Michelle, Larry and The Bud Iwen Family,
My condolences to the family.
My prayers are with all of you as you go through the grieving process.
May our Father, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ give you peace and comfort.
In the name of Jesus,
Launita Solomon
wayne kovick says
MARY AND FAMILY, I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. BUD WAS A GREAT GUY. I NEVER SAW HIM WITHOUT A SMILE ON HIS FACE. BUD IWEN MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, RIP BUD
John Cherie Dahl says
Bud was a friend for many years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family 🙏
Ian & Bonnie Steel says
Many good memories from knowing Bud through Lions.
James Leo (Chuffer) Walsh says
Bud was my roommate at Carroll. He was my mentor, friend, and teacher as we worked through jobs and classes. I am privileged to be Suzy’s Godfather and was able to be at Bud and Mary Helen’s 50th anniversary. Now I am unable to get to Montana for his funeral, even though he and Mary Helen were present every time a Walsh funeral was held in Lewistown. My absence will sadden me but I hope all of the Iwens know the love and respect I had for Bud. By chance, I sent Bud an email (via Mary Helen) the night before he died. That means that I was able to repay him partially for all he did to enhance my life. May the road rise up to meet him, the wind be always at his back. It is a certainty that he was in heaven at least a half an hour before the devil knew he was dead. James Leo Walsh (a.k.a. Chuffer), Oberlin, Ohio
Dawn McBride says
I remember when we were kids and our parents would get together to play cards and while they were playing we would make up skits to show them when they finished their card game. They would come downstairs and watch our skits. I also remember them loading all of us up in the back of that brown station wagon and going for rides,
Cory Hartman says
I worked with Bud at Shodair at the end of his career and his perpetual smile said it all….he had a wonderful spirit and was a genuine pleasure to be around. Blessings to the family for your loss.
Mike Fiedler says
Jackie & Family – our condolescenes to you and your family on the loss of your father.
Mark Crants says
Of Bud, I will only have good memories. He was a wonderful person and will be missed. He had my love and respect. To my extended Iwen Family, wishing you strength and wonderful memories to cherish forever.
Mike Van Diest says
Sorry to hear about Bud’s passing. He was a great man and one of my favorite people in Helena. Growing up here and listening to Bud as a sports caster was a real treat. He was always kind to my mom, Bea and would take time to visit with her whenever he he was at the 4B’s Cafe. Coming back to Helena and coaching at Carroll College in 1999 I always looked forward to seeing Bud at our games and visiting with him. It was great to see Bud at daily Mass at the Cathedral and to visit with him afterwards. One of the kindest individuals I have ever known. My thoughtd and prayers are with all family. I will miss him!
Vickie Davenport Miller says
Mary Helen and family, I was saddened to hear of Bud’s passing. He was such a kind, wonderful and engaging man. I know he will be missed by all who knew him.
Hal Harper says
I knew Bud in the middle and at the end of his life, and always found him to be the one of the kindest, best, and most honest. During his later time at Touchmarck he ususaly ate with our mother Dorothy and was always sweet and thoughtful of others.
One of a kind! The kind the world could use a lot more of!
Eunice Graham says
Jackie, Randy, Mary Helena and family. Bud was a super special person, and we will all miss him greatly. His warmth and personality always made conversations easy whenever we had the occasion to talk. My heart goes out to you.
Ron Iverson says
My, Oh, My– What a great friend. What a great man. I first met Bud when he was doing sportscasting, where he did wonderful work. We became friends–not only with me–but with my family also. He was just so steady. Always had a big smile and very nice to visit with. He will be remembered, and never forgotten. I pass my condolences to his wife, Mary Helen, and all his other family members. Their daughter, Helen, and my daughter, Brenda, have had such a long-lasting relationship, and Brenda told me that she was sorry to see this happening. My best to your family. Ron Iverson.
James Maher says
Suzy,
Our condolences. Your dad sounds like a wonderful person. I remember him at Robert and Kevin’s soccer games. Again, so sorry for your loss. I’m certain he will be missed.
Deb and Jim
Tony Sutherland says
Bud was a great friend to my father Doug Sutherland during and after his years working for KBLL Television. As a child I remember many great memories with Bud and Mary Helen with my parents, Ann and Doug. I remember his daughter, Suzi, trying to keep me out of trouble while playing in their yard (which was a full time job). A close family that stayed close and together and together they will stay through eternity. God Bless Mary Helen and her family and many grateful thank you’s for being such a long standing friend to my dad until his passing.
Tony Sutherland
Ann Hennessey says
Iwen Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Mr. Iwen’s passing. I just read this to my mom, and we’ve been sharing remembrances.
Love,
Ann and Family
Bob Howard says
Bud was a person of many talents and was always happy to share. I worked with Bud in radio and shared many great times at the Helena Lions and over a game Pinochle. It was often men against the women and Bud always smiled when we got trounced.
Mary Helen, you and the family are in our prayers.
Bob and Mary Howard
Sharon Davenport Smith says
Mary Helen I’m so sorry to hear of Bud passing. He was such a a kind loving man. I always remember him from KBLL with Mom and at so many events. You and your family are in my prayers.
Dale Burgeson says
I just heard about Bud.I have been retired from the Salvation Army for 15 years, but I remember working and having lunch and coffee with him and Gery Kuhn. I am sorry for your loss?.Dale Burgeson