Obituary for Bradley F. Yuhas
Helena has lost one of its best…
Christmas Day 25 December 2014 arrived and the brightest star shined down upon Bradley Frank Yuhas. He received his Last Rites of the Catholic Church and was comforted by his nurse, quietly and peacefully he passed away at 5:40 pm of natural causes at the age of 92.
Born on 28 September 1922 he was the eldest of 3 sons, who were born to Frank and Sylvia Yuhas of Hungarian and German descent. Industrious and hard working they settled to raise their family in the Helena Valley. He was baptized in St. Helena’s Cathedral and became a devout Catholic. In his later years his strong faith provided him his spiritual blessings and the comfort he sought.
He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1940. Thereafter, pursued his profession in the electrical trade and became Helena’s Chief City Electrician for thirty-five years. Upon retiring for a very short period of time; he followed his “pastoral” need to serve and provide for those less fortunate. No matter the weather! Neither sleet, rain or snow would keep him from his daily collections of unwanted- out-of-date food. Proudly he became The Face of Food Share. After fifteen years of service, his truck and he were retired in the fall of 2010.
He and his wife of 62 years were life- long residents of the Helena community. H married Noreen Meale of East Helena in 1947. Together they raised nine children and over the years became grandparents and great grandparents to 45 children. This past year he was blessed with two great- great grandchildren. A celebration of 5 generations! America the Beautiful was one of his favorite songs and his grandchildren have and continue to serve him proud through their service in the Armed Forces. Captain Jenner Yuhas is a Marine Corps pilot for the C130J and a graduate of The Naval Academy. Jace Yuhas is an Air Force Lieutenant Their father Philip Yuhas is a Air Force Captain now serving as a private doctor. Air Force Major Angela Yuhas has served two successful deployments to Afghanistan. Dallas and Dan Yuhas/Vining served as missionaries in the Dominican Republic. He/we salute you!
Brad and Noreen were inseperable. They took time off to Bowl, 4-Square Dance and travel a little. He coached Little League Baseball for over 10 years. For decades he was the Lighting Director for plays held at the Civic Center. His hobbies were model cars and airplane and tinkering. He had a collection of 50 planes he constructed …Prior to moving to Aspen most of were donated to the Helena Flying Club. His car collection dated back to the 1920’s and for decades was a passionate past time. Inquisitive and inventive he was the consummate electronic devotee. If it was broken…it could be fixed. He had components dating back to the early 50’s. Brad was a talker and very engaging. His strong affiliation with the Helena Community, The Cathedral, his bowling as well as the local businesses…they all knew him well…
Most of his sentences began with this and that…for sure he was all of this and that!
Bradley is preceded in death by: his wife, Noreen, his son Loren, his brothers Clyde and Raleigh and his parents Frank and Sylvia. He is survived by his eight children: Mark (Karen) Yuhas, Marcia, Dean (Chris) Yuhas, Ed (Ginny)Yuhas, Dennis (Mary), Pamela (Tim) Pattison, and Patricia Yuhas, Philip (Suzie) Yuhas as well as 20 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 2 great -great grandchildren. Nine nieces and nephews, Lance, Audrey, Ward, Wade, Cecelia, John, Suzanne, Chris and Barbara Yuhas .
The family would like to acknowledge Aspen Assisted Living for your love and care these past two years. His nurse Kathy Brothers for her patience and unselfish and unconditional love and caring for Dad. Our Lawyer Rick Bartos and Cindy of Capital City Management. Dan Sullivan of Sullivan Financial and Ann Waickman of Food Share for your guidance and kindness throughout the years. St.Mary’s Church for caring for Dad’s spiritual needs and the volunteers, who drove him on numerous occasions for Sunday Mass. This was truly an act of kindness!
The family invites you to join them in praying the Rosary, 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A funeral Mass will be 12:00 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2015 at the Cathedral of Saint Helena. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A reception will then be held, following the Rite of Committal (place will be announced when known). In lieu of flowers memorials in Brad’s name are suggested to the Helena Food Share 1616 Lewis Street; Helena, Montana 59601.
To offer a condolence to the family of to share a memory of Brad please visit below.
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 8, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 Noon
Friday January 9, 2015
Cathedral of Saint Helena
Corner of N. Ewing and 9th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Mass
Friday January 9, 2015
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the Rite of Committal
Friday January 9, 2015
To Be Announced
,
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 8, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 Noon
Friday January 9, 2015
Cathedral of Saint Helena
Corner of N. Ewing and 9th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Mass
Friday January 9, 2015
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the Rite of Committal
Friday January 9, 2015
To Be Announced
,
Diane Pedersen says
To the Yuhas family;
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. May God Bless you all. With deepest sympathy. Diane Pedersen
Rev. Richard G. Francesco, Saint Mary Catholic Community says
To all Brad’s loved ones:
Saint Mary Catholic Community has been blessed to welcome Brad to worship and prayer since his move to Aspen Gardens some time ago. His presence and good humor have been most appreciated by all, but particularly by members of our faith family who drove him to 8:00 AM Mass on Sundays, those who brought him the Eucharist during the week, and all who attended Friday morning Masses with him at Aspen Gardens. God love you, Brad. Rest in Peace.
Doug and Deb Kralicek says
I will always remember Brad as a usher at the Cathedral. I really enjoyed getting to know him even better when we at St. Mary provided visits, prayer, Eucharist and a place for him to still worship. You will be missed. Thank you to Patty and Marsha for sharing your Dad with us. Rest in peace.
Edie Louquet says
I remember all the Christmases when Brad would hang all the Christmas lights around Helena. It always looked beautiful. Rest in peace.
Milton Crum says
I sat across the table from Bradley three meals a day in Aspen Gardens. He enlivened the meals with his good humor, his hearty laughter, and his stories. But, as will happen to us all, the ailments of old age took him down. RIP Brad.
John Juhasz says
Met with Uncle Bradley during our trip to Montana and Canada in 2009. It was the first time since moving away from Montana and a first for my wife and daughter to meet relatives in America. We had such a great time visiting with him. I had hoped to see him again this coming year to talk about the family. He will truly be missed, and we send our blessings to the family. Really sorry to hear about his passing on. May he rest in peace.
Darlene Miller Scott says
To the Yuhas Family
Your father was such a nice, kind man. He truly did his share of gathering food for the hungry.
I always loved visiting my Uncle Pat and Aunt Rose on 8th avenue, because I knew that I would also get to see the Yuhas kids, that lived next door. Your Mom and Dad were such wonderful, caring parents.
I know that you have many, many wonderful memories to carry you through this sad time. You have my sincerest sympathy.
Judy Gardner says
I volunteered at Food Share and got to know Brad. He had such a good sense of humor and always made you feel better just being around him. I really enjoyed knowing him for the few years I was at at Food Share and it was only one day a week for a few hours but I feel privileged to have had that time with him. I send my condolences to the family.
Don and Jeir Brunell, Vancouver, WA says
Our prayers and sympathies are with Dean, Chris and the entire Yuhas Family. What a legacy to leave for the next generation of Christians. God Bless.
John C. Ulberg says
I met Mr. Yuhas and his wife when I became their paperboy. Their house sat down in
a little hollow behind his brother’s place on 8th. Avenue. Every time I went to collect
for the paper I was amazed at the family that lived in that house. Noreen was washing
clothes, packing around babies, and keeping order, always with a smile. The warm,
applesauce smell in the air coupled with the smiling, friendly Brad and Noreen welcomed
me into their house for 7 years. They were such an inspiration, showing that hard work and perseverance pays off. Just look at their children, grand, great-grand and great-great grandchildren.In later years, Brad always greeted me with that big smile and a chat. He was always working. He was a fine, fine man who left his mark.
Rachel Donahoe says
I used to drive the food share truck with Brad. He was such a gentle and sweet man. He worked so hard. I am sorry for your loss. He led such a full life. I am glad he is resting with Noreen.
Don and Helen Betts says
We were fortunate enough to live next door on 8th ave for a number of years. Brad and Noreen even attended our wedding. The blanket Noreen knitted is still my favorite nap time blanket!. Brad was a kind, generous and sweet man. He always had a smile on his face. It was a privilege to be neighbors with such a wonderful man. He will truly be missed.
Connie (Sands) Jerome says
Phil and family — I am so sorry for the loss of your father – I will keep you all in my prayers for comfort and an easy recall of happy memories – Very nice tribute to him. God Bless you all in this time of loss and grieving.
Polly Brown Hess says
I grew up on 8th Avenue and went to school with Brad’s daughter Marcia. I knew Brad through school and also through my father Ray Hess. I send condolences to all of his family members in their sorrow. It is so strange as just 2 weeks ago I was inquiring about him since I had not seen him at mass with his cheerful smile taking up the collection. I did not know he was no longer at the residence on 8th Avenue.
He was a lovely man and will be greatly missed by many people. His faith was an inspiration to me, and many other people.
J. M. Cooper says
I had the privilege of being coached by Brad in the early 1960’s. We were the Pirates. We were a scrappy little PeeWee league baseball team. Brad was incredibly patient with all of us. His hands were big and amazingly soft like a catchers mitt. Then for many many years I saw him frequently driving the red truck, and working on street lights. Whenever I saw him I would smile a little, and say, “I know him, he is Mr. Yuhas”. Thank you Mr. Brad Yuhas.
J. M. Cooper
Rich Munger says
I’ve known Brad for nearly sixty years…since I was a teenager. As a college student, I worked for Brad at the Helena City Electricians department. He taught me how to move electricity from point A to point B. He was such a good instructor, I was able to finance much of my college education by wiring summer homes on Canyon Ferry reservoir in the early sixties. Brad and I also coached Pee Wee League baseball, as you kids will remember. I taught Brad nearly as much about baseball as he taught me about electricity. Brad worked out of the same building (Civic Center) as my Dad as a fireman. Your wonderful Mother also worked with my wonderful Mother at the County Treasurer’s office. We all were neighbors, as the Munger home was on the 900 block of 8th Avenue and the Yuhas home on the 1000 block of the same street. I have not seen Brad often in recent years, but often thought of him.
All of you Yuhas kids have my sincere sympathy in the loss of your Dad, an honorable. man.
Ron & Peggy Yuhas says
Brad Yuhas was one of the nicest and kindest persons I have ever met. He always had a smile for you and a funny or kind word. I remember these from numerous family gatherings that were at my folks (LaVerne & Quints) house.
Once I was working on a car at the folks house and had lost a bolt down inside it where I cold barely see it. Brad happened to be there and fashioned a long wire hook and extracted the lost bolt saving me tons of time.
A great human being with a kind and giving heart. A life well lived.
You have our sincere sympathy in your loss.