Annetta N. Irby, age 94, of Helena

Annetta Irby, 94, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2025 with her family by her side in Helena, Montana.

She was born on August 2, 1931 in Westwood, California to Daisy Connor and Stanley Hotchkiss.  Her father didn’t play a large role in Annetta’s life being raised primarily her mother Daisy.  Early in her childhood, Annetta moved with her mother to Palisade, Colorado to live on the family farm where Grandma List became an influential person in her life.  It was there that she made many fond memories with her aunts Nellie and Rozella List and her brother Marion “Sonny” Howlett.  Over time, Annetta, Sonny and Daisy moved to San Diego, California and the strong bond among the three strengthened.  Occasionally, they would return to Palisade for vacations. Ultimately, Annetta graduated from La Jolla High School in 1949.  She was so proud of her high school that she was determined to attend as many school reunions as possible, even the final 70^th in 2019.

After graduating high school, Annetta enlisted in the Air Force and served honorably for over a year.  She did basic training at Lackland Air Force base in Texas.  Ultimately, she was stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base near San Francisco, CA where she met her husband-to-be, Jimmie, and got married in 1951 in Reno, NV at the minister’s home in front of the fireplace while the clock on the mantel struck 2:00 p.m. as they were pronounced man and wife.  That became a tradition and Jimmie called his wife each year on November 14 at 2:00 p.m. wishing her a Happy Anniversary.  They eventually relocated to Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake, WA.

After her discharge from the service, Jimmie and Annetta had three children and lived in various cities throughout California and Washington. She was primarily a house wife raising the children but at times she held different civil service jobs for Naval Intelligence in San Diego and Hanford Nuclear Site in Washington State.

After their kids grew up, Jimmie and Annetta sought a different environment and ultimately found a permanent home in East Helena, MT.  She continued to do clerical jobs helping sell insurance or working in a pharmacy.  Throughout her life she was actively involved with her sorority Beta Sigma Phi hosting dances, fundraisers, running concessions at events and attending annual conventions.  She always enjoyed shopping for gifts for her “secret” sister.  She also had a talent for sewing and at times made a lot of her children’s clothes.  Ultimately, she pursued other crafts and crocheting.

Annetta is preceded in death by her husband Jimmie Irby; daughter, Cheryl Irby; her son, Scott Irby; and her parents Daisy Conner and Stanley Hotchkiss.  She is survived by her son, Michael Irby of Kennewick, WA; son, James Irby of Helena, MT; granddaughter, Mariah Thompson of Kent, WA; and six great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 26^th, at Simple Cremations, formerly Retz Funeral Home Building, 315 E 6th Ave, Helena, Mt.  Burial with Military Honors will be held following the funeral service at Sunset Memorial Gardens with an open invitation to lunch at another location.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lewis and Clark Veterans Council Honor Guard at PO Box 146, Fort Harrison, MT 59636. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Annetta.

Service Schedule

Funeral Service

11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Tuesday August 26, 2025

Simple Cremations Formerly Retz Funeral Home Building

315 E. 6th Ave

Helena, MT 59601

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Graveside Service

Following the Funeral Service

Tuesday August 26, 2025

Sunset Memorial Gardens

7100 N. Montana Ave

Helena, MT 59602

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