Cara C. Wiest, age 62 of Helena

Cara Christine Wiest Ronan

Cara passed away unexpectedly in her home on January 19th, 2023, comforted by her husband, Bob. She was 62, and had been battling Covid since Christmas.

Cara was born in Helena, MT on December 5th, 1960, and was the third and final child of Nadine Lucille (Bolan) Wiest, and Carl Fisher Wiest.

Cara’s early life was spent being the baby doll of her older sister Marsha, as well as her eldest cousin Dianne Feller. Dianne fondly remembers holding her as a baby, and happily sharing their 2-day-apart birthday celebrations while growing up. Their friendship lasted Cara’s lifetime.

When Cara was old enough to sit in a chair, Marsha and a friend built her a “CaraVan”.  This was a 2×4 sedan chair contraption, with a throne decorated with a frilly, pink bedspread canopy, and wildflowers.  They hauled Cara around the neighborhood in it, like a young, 20th century Cleopatra.

During the summers of her C. R. Anderson grade school years, she was a constant companion of her brother Jeff, doing all of the things that made Helena great in the 60’s and 70’s. Many days were spent on Mount Helena visiting the abandoned rock quarry, the “spring” (really a leak from the old wooden water line that brought water to western Helena), the horse corral, and on special days climbing to Devil’s Kitchen with cousins Denise and Debra Feller.

When not on the mountain, they biked all over the city, from the Fairground pond, to the Municipal Pool, to the Capital Hill Mall, always with a stop at Aunt Dorothy’s house on Harrison Avenue and/or a visit to Sheehans (where Mom worked) for an ice-cold glass bottle of Coke and the candy bar-of-the-day. Through all of those days the only rule was they had to be home by dinner time.

Nights were spent running with the neighborhood kids and “sleeping out” in a tent built of sheets draped over a clothesline rack while “raiding” all of the backyard gardens in the area.

In High School, Cara displayed a talent for writing.  She had her own column in the Capital High newspaper called “Cara’s Corner” and wasn’t afraid to take on any topic.  That interest led to a friendship with Ms. Harris, the journalism teacher, and eventually to time spent in the Journalism School at the University of Montana.  She had a novel in the works when she passed.

In her early adulthood, Cara was a medical transcriptionist, and this led her to San Diego, where she worked for a premier Oncologist at Scripps Clinic.  The experiences she had interacting with a steady flow of cancer patients deepened her empathy for others.  She was always willing to make great effort, and sacrifice to help anyone she knew through difficult situations.

Cara was lovely, and always put together.  Hair, makeup, and clothes were perfection, and as a tall, leggy blonde, she never lacked admirers.  She could flirt with anyone, and managed a few sweet deals and free goods as a consequence. She also never hesitated to let suitors know when it was time for them to go home. Her favorite motto was: “Be a girl with a mind, a woman with an attitude, and a lady with class.”  She always tried to be the better person, and consistently offered prayers for any troubled friend.

In the kitchen, Cara had a natural talent.  She was doing recipe development before it was a thing!  Her food always had lots of depth and dimension of flavor. She shared recipes and tips willingly, and her generosity shone when she allowed her niece to work in her precious kitchen several days a week, during the year Holly launched her “Cotton-Top Pastries” bakery business at the Helena Farmer’s Market.

In 2012, Cara lived in her mom’s home, helping with her care during the last months of her life. During that time, Cara met the man who would become her best friend, and eventually her husband, Bob Ronan. They spent the next 10 years together – years that were the happiest of Cara’s life, despite the numerous health issues that Cara dealt with during that time.  Bob was devoted to Cara, and made it his responsibility to provide great care and friendship – a responsibility that he fulfilled completely.

As Cara’s life progressed, she faced her health battles head on, and powered her way through adversity.  Even as she struggled with Covid in her final month, she assured her family that she was strong and would be fine, to ease worry and concerns.

Cara was preceeded in death by her parents Carl and Nadine Wiest.

She is survived by husband Robert Marshall Ronan, Sr., and his son Robert Jr., wife Rhonda, and children Anaka and Luc, and his daughter Sarah Ellen Ronan Bonner, husband Marcus Bonner, and children Brynn, Brooke, and Blaine.

Cara is also survived by her sister Marsha Wiest-Hines, husband Carl Hines, and nephew Zachary Hines, and brother Jeffery Wiest, wife Gina, and nieces Holly Wiest and partner Eric Seidle, and Samantha Wiest and her fiance, the late Ian Legrand Asay.

Cara had no children of her own, but was always pleased by, and very proud of her step-children and step-grandchildren, and her nieces and nephew.

Cara is also survived by her beloved adopted stray cats, Callie Christine and Shadow (aka Lil’ Bit), and in their honor, and that of the many pets she sheltered over her lifetime, memorials are suggested to Lewis and Clark Humane Society.

Service Schedule

Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.

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