Anthony Adam Hunthausen (Tony) was born in Anaconda, MT as the third child of Anthony Gerhardt and Edna Marie Hunthausen on Jan 25th, 1926. His older brother Ray and sister Marie welcomed him into the family. They eventually had 4 younger siblings, Jack, Edna, Art, and Jeanne. All but Edna and Jeanne have pre-deceased Tony.
Tony graduated from Anaconda HS in 1944 and, like many of his contemporaries, immediately joined the army. By Jan of 1945 he was overseas via the Queen Mary and told us often that he turned 19 in a foxhole in Germany. After crossing the Rohr River just weeks before the end of the war, he marched with his outfit in the final offensive across Germany and was actually wounded in the knee – a Purple Heart Veteran.
Tony chose not to talk about the war much for many years. When he eventually did, we understood why. Many of his memories were those that remind us of the horrors of war. While several of his family members were hunters, as dad was before the war, he chose never to shoot a gun again after he returned.
One great story he eventually told happened after the war ended when they were stationed in Biarritz, France. He and a friend decided they would take off on a train to Paris to experience the city of light just after the war ended. They were 19 years old and had just experienced things most of us can’t imagine. But Paris beckoned, and they explored for two weeks before returning to their unit. Amazingly, when they returned thinking they were in big trouble, all Tony remembers his commanding officer saying is, “Hey Hunthausen, you back here already?” They hadn’t even been missed!
The biggest story of Tony’s life involves the girl he first met in Jr. High, Harriet Wetherill. They dated some in high school and Dad would often show up to walk Harriet home from her job at the Washoe Theater.
After Tony returned from the war in 1946, he and Harriet continued to develop their relationship while she finished her nursing degree at Carroll College. In 1949 they were married in Anaconda. At the time, Tony was going to the University of MT in Missoula, finishing with a degree in business accounting in 1950. Through his early working years, they lived in Missoula, Miles City, and eventually back to Anaconda.
In 1960 Tony and Harriet moved to East Helena where they remained. In his early 40’s Tony decided to make a career change. With seven kids to care for, he went back to college at Carroll to get his degree in education. He taught junior high students in Clancy for twenty years before retiring. He loved to share his passion for history and civics and was a well-liked teacher and co-worker.
Tony was predeceased by his beautiful wife Harriet and is survived by nine children: Tony (Jan), Kathleen, Bill (Maureen), Mary (Dean), Denny (Michelle), Paula, Andy (Pam), John (Amy) and Dan (Keeley); 25 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and two more on the way.
Tony and Harriet were parishioners of Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Parish for nearly 60 years. They were active in many ministries over the years through which they made many friendships. Their faith community was a vitally important part of their lives and the parish anchored and nurtured their family life for decades.
Tony was the quintessential dedicated family man who was always “there” for us. He was a presence that never wavered, and we never doubted his commitment and love for us. Dad had a knack and appetite – even a sense of duty – for fixing things large and small. No doubt much of it was borne of the practical need to live within modest means while raising a large family on a teacher’s salary, but it was also an outlet and positive distraction from things not so “fixable” in life. And, it was an opportunity to apply his formidable analytical and amateur engineering talents.
As we would come and go in the blissfulness of childhood, Dad could often be found at the kitchen table with his container of small tools (kept handy in the cabinet above the oven) repairing any number of appliances, toys, or essential household items. He could also handle pretty much any home electrical need and probably would have been an electrician if he hadn’t become an accountant and teacher.
His handy work also included keeping his family’s infamously prodigious fleet of cars on the road. He could be found in the throes of winter, feet sticking out from underneath a jacked-up car, with hands greasy and frozen from repairing brakes or replacing a water pump, while we waited impatiently to get back on the road.
He seemed to never shirk the endless repairs and maintenance needed by a household of 11 of us. It may not have started as a conscious expression of how he cared for us, but it became one of the most enduring signs of his deep dedication and love for his family.
The family would like to thank the staff of Beehive Assisted Living, as well as caregiver Shasta Maphies, and St Peter’s Hospice for their wonderful care of Tony. Donations in honor of Tony can be made to The Hunthausen Fund c/o The Good Samaritan ministries https://www.goodsamhelena.org/.
A Vigil will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral home on Wednesday, August 7th at 6PM. Tony’s memorial Mass will be at St. Helena Cathedral on Thursday, August 8th at 12 Noon, followed by a reception in East Helena at Mavsar Center, St. Cyril and Methodius Parish. Burial will be at St. Ann’s Cemetery at 3:30 in E. Helena with military honors.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 7, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday August 8, 2019
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Thursday August 8, 2019
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Burial
Following the Reception
Thursday August 8, 2019
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 7, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday August 8, 2019
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Thursday August 8, 2019
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Burial
Following the Reception
Thursday August 8, 2019
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Brad Bomar says
Sorry for your loss.
Pat and Bruce Wade says
Please accept our condolences you’re all in my thoughts and prayers.
Wanda Warsinski says
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family
Lisa Lopez (Popp) says
Danny, so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in warm memories of both of your parents. Always loved seeing them at church.
JIM White says
To all of the Hunthausen’s, especially Bill, know that my thoughts are with you. You have been truly blessed to have and to know a most wonderful man as your father. Cherish that all the days of your life. At the time of my mother’s passing she instilled in me something that I will pass on to all of you. Mary Ellen said “Grieve not that which is lost, but rejoice in that which was”. She told us kids she was on her way to Heaven, and she would see us all there. I bet your mom and dad are doing the same, getting things ready for your arrival.
My you all find peace in your hearts and God’s Grace in your souls.
JIM White
Mike Van Diest says
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. He was a great family man and one of East Helena’s finest. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Great memories of your dad & mom!
Glen J Cuchine says
I’m saddened as you all are by the passing of Tony. He and Harriet are together again. Many wonderful memories of Tony and the Hunthausen clan flood my thoughts. May the wonderful memories you have sustain you all at this time.
Pat Dowdall says
To all the Hunthausens, reading the obit from my home in Wellesley MA brought back many memories of growing up in Anaconda in the 50’s and early 60’s. My parents (John and Mary Cecilia Dowdall) were good friends of Tony and Harriet. My mother and Harriet were friends from school days. In fact I remember visiting your mother at Galen. Sorry for the loss but Tony lived a full life, as the obit so well tells us.
Michelle Lingenfelter says
Hunthausen family,
I am sorry to hear about your loss of your dear father. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Troy and Lynn Maness says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Your parents were wonderful neighbors and are missed by everyone in the community. All our love.
Troy and Lynn Maness
Jessie Lesofski says
Mr. Hunthausen was one of my favorite teachers. I treasure the memory of his easy smile, gentle encouragement and the ever present twinkle in his eyes. I’m so very sorry to read of his passing. You are in my prayers.
Darrell LaMere says
I had the great pleasure to work with Anthony (Tony) as mix masters for fire retardant planes at the airport in Helena airport in the late 70s. We lost contact over the years; yet I remember him aa an awesome boss. He always had a kind and generous spirit.
Jamir Gleich says
I grew up down the street from the Hunthausens and spent a lot of nights at their house, your parents were awesome to me. Tony will be missed
Mike Sanders says
So sorry!
Sharon Pelletier says
Andy – so sorry to read about the passing of your dad. May memories of the past carry you through.
Connie (Sands) Jerome says
Denny and the entire Hunthausen family –
I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing.
May your fond memories be held close in your hearts.
My prayers are with you during this difficult time.
May God Bless one and all. Big Hugs!
Susan Clark (Marcinek) Moran says
To Tony and all your siblings….I’m so sorry for your loss. I barely met your parents back in our school days, but your entire family is living proof that they were wonderful, loving people. I know you will all be together, sharing many tales and much laughter as you reminisce. Blessings to you all, you’re in my thoughts during these next days.
Jerome Tuss says
To the Hunthausen family: I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Tony. He and Harriet were such good people and always treated like one of their family. I will truely miss calling him on his birthday,stopping by and visiting with him. He was like a father to me.
Jim Stipcich says
To all of the Hunthausen family: I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. He and your Mom were such good people and I always felt so welcome as a member of the neighborhood as we were all growing up. May you find comfort in warm memories of both of your parents.
Roxianne Verworn says
To the Hunthausen Family, I am truly sorry for the loss of your father. I had the pleasure of having your dad as a teacher for 2 years at Clancy School. Seventh grade we changed classes and your dad was our History and English teacher. In eighth grade he was our homeroom teacher (Clancy Class of 1973). I loved having Tony for a teacher. He was strict (made the 2 yrs. without having my hand smacked with the ruler!) but compassionate. He held control of the class and he was there to make sure you actually learned something. He had such a passion for teaching and loved the kids. I remember 8th grade graduation when your dad got up and talked about each graduate. He had pegged everyone right on the money. His words were kind and encouraging for every single student. The Hunthausen trampoline was a huge hit in the early 70’s and your mom’s cookies were YUMMY. You come from great stock and it shows in each of you. May you all cherish the many memories of love and may it help heal and comfort you. Blessings and love to all of you. You have 2 very special angels watching over each and every one of you. God bless.
Janet McNamee Bjornemo says
please accept our condolences and prayers. He is now walking in the sunshine with our Lord and his beautiful wife Harriet.
From McNamee family of Anaconda
Deb and Wayne Bushnell says
Dear Andy and Family, so very sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. Prayers sent from our family to yours!
John and Sandra O'Rourke says
Tony and Harriet were wonderful family friends and very close ro my mother, Rita O’Rourke who loved them very much. Rita was able to help with new arrivals to their family and loved doing so. They were great examples of family and living their faith. Our condolences to the family in your great loss.
John and Sandy O’Rourke