Our beloved mother, Barbara Louise Bisom, Helena, Montana, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 15, 1930 to Claude and Lillian Peiton in Glasgow, Montana. Barbara had four sisters: Sister Mary of the Incarnation, Jean, Polly and Pat. The family lived in Great Falls where she attended the Ursuline Academy and then moved to Havre where she graduated from Havre High School. One of her high school summer jobs was as a bicycle messenger for Western Union Telegraph. The Peiton family vacationed with relatives in Minnesota, and in later years the daughters’ extended families would gather in Montana. Every summer they would meet for a week at Flathead Lake where the cousins developed life-long friendships swimming, playing, and evening marshmallow roasts with Grandma & Grandpa. The families continued their traditional get togethers at Flathead for reunions and the Peiton girls’/ daughters’ annual “YaYa Days”.
Barbara attended Seattle University, where she met Bill Bisom of Rolla, North Dakota. They were married in Havre in 1950. They were blessed with seven wonderful children: Shelley (Tim) Hunter, Cathy, Mark, Jody (Jeff) Brandt, Dan, Paul (Betty), and Amy (JV) Moody. They enjoyed frequent family gatherings with their children, fifteen grandchildren: Dillon, Cory & Heidi, Casey, Shayla, James & Alyssa, Tom & Mike, Ashley & Madison, Chris & Manda, Greg & Stephen, as well as nineteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Bill and Barbara moved to Helena in 1956 where they opened the Marshall Wells Hardware Store in the Hustad Center, which they owned and operated for 10 years. They nurtured their family in close knit neighborhoods that celebrated holidays and special events that built lasting friendships. In 1969, they built their dream home on Sanders St. where they once again enjoyed the strong community of neighbors. They were of a generation that loved dancing and had a weekly date night at one of Helena’s live music venues.
Barbara’s life was filled with her family and their activities. She loved raising her seven children and being a homemaker by sewing, cooking, baking, shopping, school activities, etc. She was a talented seamstress and made many of her children’s clothes, even for their dolls. She was a faithful Catholic, an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church volunteering in many ministries including Funeral Luncheons, Pastoral Care, and Religious Education. She treasured the friendships developed in her weekly Prayer Group meetings. She prayed for her family and friends in the morning and before retiring each day. Bill and Barbara played an active role in the fundraising efforts for the new St. Mary Catholic Church.
The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Mark Kreisberg and the St. Peter’s Hospital staff for the outstanding compassionate care they provided our mother and the use of their new Comfort Suite. This allowed our family to be with Barbara so she could die with the grace, dignity, and peace that guided her life. She knew her Mom, Pops, Sister Mary, husband Bill, grandson Casey, great-grandchild Gabriel and other loved ones who passed were waiting to welcome her to heaven.
A funeral mass and reception will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, Saturday November 11, 2023 at 10:00 am. followed by a reception at the church. The link for the live stream of the Mass can be found at www.stmaryhelena.org. Interment will be a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, Barbara asked that donations be made in her memory to the St Mary’s Catholic Community or a charity of your choice.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Saturday November 11, 2023
Saint Mary's Catholic Community
1700 Misooula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
Following the service
Saturday November 11, 2023
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Private Family Committal
Saturday November 11, 2023
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Saturday November 11, 2023
Saint Mary's Catholic Community
1700 Misooula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
Following the service
Saturday November 11, 2023
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Private Family Committal
Saturday November 11, 2023
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
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Shelly Horne says
Heaven certainly gained a angel when Barb passed she was definitely a angel here on earth! She was a dear friend of my mother and to our family she will be missed . Our hearts and prayers are with her family I especially was blessed to have known such a wonderful woman
Cathy Schneckloth Dawe says
Cathy, I’m so sorry to hear your Mom has passed. May God give you peace and comfort during these hard times. Her memories will fill your heart ❤️. She was a very special lady and will be missed.
Jim Chamberlain says
Mrs. B was always a kind and patient person. She was always good to me while pestering her household. I will always feel very badly for loosing her 1st edition hardback book, The Grapes of Wrath, by John Stienbeck. I hope she will or has forgiven me. To the Bisom family, I think you are very fortunate to have Barb as your mother and Bill as your father. Stay the course!
diane T. willliams says
Barb was a fantastic person, the heart of St. Mary’s.
Much appreciated and cared about. I miss working with her.
She will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Diane and Budd
Vickie Rauser says
Jody & Family,
I’m sorry for your loss. Holding you in sympathy and prayer.
Eva Clark says
Barbara was a very kind and special lady who made everyone she met feel special. I know St. Mary’s will miss her along with all her family. I am thankful to have met her through st. Mary’s Pastoral Care and funeral ministries.
Tony Strainer says
Paul and Family,
So sorry for your loss of your dear mother. Winnie and I send our condolences. You are in our hearts.
Winnie and Tony Strainer
Deb Wakeland says
Jody and family,
I am saddened by the loss of such a lovely soul as your mom was. I will miss her visits in to see us at the doctors.
Rest in peace sweet lady. You’ve earned your heavenly rest.
You’re in my thoughts.
Deb
Ralph and Lynn Guay says
We were blessed by having Barb and Bill as our neighbors. They were both kind and sharing and Barb always made us feel very welcomed in the neighborhood. Whenever we asked her for prayers, she was always ready to take on the task and would follow up to see if the situation worked out. She will be missed by all who knew her
Lee Yamamoto says
I’ m sorry to hear your mother has passed, Mark.
May she rest in peace.
Tom Quinn says
I will always miss my beloved Aunt Barbara.
Jody E. Reisbeck says
Paul, so sorry for your loss. Your mother was a very caring and beautiful person. She visited my mom when she was in Cooney with her broken leg. Prayers for you and your family for healing.
Kelly and Jody Reisbeck
Deanna Ness says
Just a story to tell about Barbara and what her friendship meant to our family. Mom (Agnes) and
Barbara and Bill had a friendship not many of us see. We always knew that mom was going out on Saturday mornings for donuts with the Bisom’s and if we got a call they were stopping by we had to clean up quickly!
We loved when they came by. Your mom made each of us blankets when we were younger and also did one for our kids. Those blankets are still a treasure and well used. When I think of your mom and dad a smile comes to my face. They were God’s angels on earth! I am so sad for all of you but know that in heaven they are in the place they always were meant to be and will be looking out for you as they always have. Sending hugs! Deanna Ness (Lesofski)
Patricia Mandeville says
I was so sorry to hear of Barb’s passing. She and Bill were good griends of my husband and me. She was a very kind and generous person.