Beverly Jean Hihnala, the youngest of five children, born on March 26, 1940, in Butte, Montana, to John and Mary Malyevac, passed away April 8, 2022 following a short illness.
Beverly graduated from Butte High School and became a Certified Professional Insurance Woman (CPIW), after completing the Insurance Institute Educational courses. Beverly went on to enjoy a successful 50year career as a licensed insurance agent, working in Butte, Missoula and Helena. She was past president of the Butte, Missoula and Helena Insurance Women, as well as past president of the American Business Women’s Helena Association.
Beverly married the love of her life, Jack, on December 28, 1968, in St. John’s Catholic Church, Butte, Montana. Traveling was a large part of their 48-year marriage, with two pilgrimages to Rome, Italy, having audiences with Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict. Their 21-foot motor home took them throughout the United States and the Canadian Provinces. Following the Montana Grizzlies football team was always on their agenda.
Beverly was an active member of the Cathedral of St. Helena as a Eucharist Minister, past member of the Parish Council, Parish Life, and funeral lunches, as well as being a member of the League of the Sacred Heart. She served as President of the Friends of the Children for Intermountain Children’s Home. Beverly and Jack volunteered for 10 years with Festival of Trees.
Beverly helped care for several of her neighbors and always remembered birthdays and special occasions with cards and well wishes, creating her own designs the last several years. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, crafts, traveling, and time spent with family and friends.
Beverly was preceded in death by her husband Jack, parents, in-laws Jack and Vi Hihnala, sister Marlene Kriskovich, sister-in-laws Marlene Malyevac and Lorna Hihnala, brother in-laws John Nelson, Leo Pierce, Leonard Hihnala, Larry Hihnala, David Hihnala, and Don Gilbert, brother in-law and sister in-law Frank and Judy Jeniker and nephew Scott Gilbert.
Beverly is survived by sisters Helen Nelson and Joyce Pierce, brother John Malyevac, sister in-law Sharon Gilbert, nieces and nephews Kathy (Ed) Aders, Joe (Tracy) Kriskovich, Kim (Leo) Morgan, Karen (Rob) Eamon, Jim Kriskovich, Patti (Scott) Doremas, Pam Nelson, Lori (Craig) Argall, Lisa Pierce Paquette, John Mike Malyevac, Marie (Bill) Koole, Kim (Brian) Hall, Deb Gilbert, and Don Gilbert, as well as several cousins, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to “Bev’s Angels”; Marisa Pedulla, Lisa Dwyer and Kim Cross, sister Helen Nelson and St. Peter’s Health Hospice for their care and support of Beverly and her family.
Donations may be made to the Cathedral of St. Helena or donor’s choice
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m., Thursday April 21, 2022 at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 Ewing Street. A Luncheon will follow the service in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral. Burial will be at the Montana State veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home & Crematory.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday April 21, 2022
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Thursday April 21, 2022
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Following the reception
Thursday April 21, 2022
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Ave.
Fort harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday April 21, 2022
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Thursday April 21, 2022
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Following the reception
Thursday April 21, 2022
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Ave.
Fort harrison, Montana 59636
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Mary Wagner says
I did not know her well but I met her in the Carroll College Gymnasium. She was at all the games and cheered the team on with so much enthusiasm! I met her through my friend, Betty, who also joined her at the games. She was a wonderful lady and this is so sad how quickly her life was taken from her. Please accept our most sincere condolences. Dan and Mary Wagner
John Cherie Dahl says
Bev was a friend from our days working together at Blue Cross/Blue Shield and husband Jack and I worked together in the Montana National Guard and we were all Griz fans. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family
Dorothy McBride says
I knew Bev at Butte High School, where she was a talented and enthusiastic twirler–double fire batons!–and I played the piccolo in the Butte High Band. She often spoke with fondness and respect for Jean Schiesser and Henry J who led us all in spectacular performances in parades, on the football field, and in concert. We often reminisced about the summer we went to Calgary for the Stampede, a trip that made us life long friends. At a reunion, Bev and I found our old lockers, side by side, in the band hall and were delighted they were still there! I will miss her a lot but have many happy memories of our days as friends.
Bev Conwell Riley says
Sincere sympathy to John-Helen-Joyce our Eastside neighbors. Rest In Peace Bev
Joyce Fries says
My deepest sympathy to Bev’s family. I worked with Bev at Blue Cross/Blue Shield and my husband worked with Jack at the Montana National Guard. Bev was a hard working volunteer for the Festival of Trees and she even got me to make 5 lbs of fudge and 5 dozen sugar cookies for it every year I worked with her. She was so kind and thoughtful of everyone and their families. She will be greatly missed. God Bless