Carolyn Marie (Niland) Henderson
Carolyn left our world surrounded by her husband and best friends for a much better one on the morning of Saturday, June 29, 2013, after having fought a multi-year battle against cancer. Carolyn was a gentle but strong soul and made dear friends wherever she worked, played or lived.
Carolyn was born to Evelyn and Bill Niland on October 20, 1952 in Anaconda, Montana, where she was raised. She was third in line of nine siblings. She attended and graduated from St. Paul’s Elementary School and graduated from Anaconda Senior High School in 1970. She then attended University of Montana-Western in Dillon where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Business. She lived in Dillon for a brief time then moved to Helena, MT to live with her sister, Mary Rita. She worked for the state of MT Department of Health & Human Services for several years. Following that, she worked and was a familiar face to many at the Hofbrau in Helena before it changed to Bullwinkles. She served her many friends and customers for 25 years.
It was during her time at the Hofbrau that she met the love of her life, Sergeant Leroy Henderson. They were married in January of 1987, and have lived in Helena since that time. Carolyn became step-mother to Leroy’s two sons, Brandon and Rande and has been a true friend and mother to both. In 2002 she joined the staff of DA Davidson & Co as a wire operator and worked there until 2012 when she retired due to her health.
Carolyn had a special talent for sewing and crafts and always had a new craft project scheduled. She loved living at the lake, boating, camping and maybe a Miller Lite or two and was an avid fan of NASCAR.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her father, Bill Niland; brothers, Thomas and James; sisters, Leanne and Mary Rita; niece, Kaitryn Heard and nephew Billy Niland.
Surviving Carolyn are her beloved husband, Leroy; step-son, Brandon and his children Emalee and Colin of Ft Hood , TX; step-son Rande, his wife Stephanie and their children Christian and Ashlee of Ft. Benning, Georgia; sister-in-law, Kathy Stewart of CA and Cecelia Garcia (Ernie) of San Antonio TX. Additional survivors include her mother Evelyn Niland, Anaconda MT, her brothers Ed Niland, Anaconda, MT, Mike (Marilyn), Vancover WA; sisters Cathy Shackleford (Mike) of Pineville LA, RuthAnn Heard, Butte MT and Jackie Niland of Anaconda; her aunt’s Ruth Radonich, Anaconda, Rita Wilks, CA and Dorthy Burgess, Helena. Carolyn is also survived by and will be greatly missed by her very special friend’s who were just like family, Rose Carlson, Denise Hayden, Laurie Ereth and her second family the DA Davidson crew. She has numerous cousins, nephews and nieces in Montana, California and Louisiana. Carolyn was very patriotic and a life-time member of the Ladies VFW Auxiliary. Carolyn’s gentle yet strong spirit and loving approach to life will be missed by all.
A memorial service celebrating Carolyn’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Burial will follow the memorial service at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison A reception will follow the burial at American Legion; 3095 Villard Ave, Helena.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday July 5, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, mt 59602
Burial
Following the memorial service.
Friday July 5, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, MT
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday July 5, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, mt 59602
Burial
Following the memorial service.
Friday July 5, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, MT
Share
Tim Clavin says
To Leroy and family,
I will always remember the countless laughs and meaningful discussions I had with Carolyn while she worked at the Hofbrau. I count her as one of my best friends ever. You truly have my thoughts at this sad passing.
Lue Balkema says
Leroy & family
I was so sorry to read of Carolyn’s death. My thoughts and prayers go out
to all of you at this sad time.
Marilyn Farley says
Leroy and family
My heart just broke when I read of Carolyn’s passing. She was a wonderful friend and I will never forget all the good times and bad times we went through together.
She will be greatly missed. But now she is in a better place.
You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Debbie Filson says
Leroy and family,
I was so sad to hear of Carolyn’s passing. She was a good friend to me when I was younger and helped me in many ways. She will be missed. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Sharon L. Nelson says
Leroy and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Just always remember that she is in a much better place and has no more pain. Always remember your good times with her. God bless you and your family. I can’t be there at the services but I will be there in thought. My prayers are with you.
Linda and Tim Opie says
So sorry for your loss. Carolyn was a strong and loving person and will be missed deeply.
Roger A. Hagan says
Leroy, My condolences to you and your family for your loss. As you and I talked, the end is sometimes the blessing of a life well lived. By the obituary and friends notes, Carolyn fit that bill. God Bless you my friend and my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Sharon Sargeson says
Leroy, I was saddened to read of Carolyn’s passing.
She was always fun to talk to when I saw her. I will
always remember laughing with her because I thought she was so much taller than me when she worked at the Hoffbrau. She will be missed by everyone. Take care.
Becky Malensek Muller says
Leroy and family, I am very sad to read that Carolyn passed away. She was a very good friend to me and my children during our Health Department days and beyond. She used to call my parents ‘The Mom and The Dad.’ I will always think of her spirit and joy and laughter. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Connie Petek says
Will always remember the fun times we had golfing and with the girls sleep overs.
Carolyn will truly be missed by many many people, she was so loved.
MaryKaren Wilks Moreno says
Love you cousin! So sad to be saying goodbye! Really was hoping to get together with you again at some point. We lost you way too soon!
Morris Burner says
Leroy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your sons. Carolyn was one of my dear friends and will be missed by so many people.
Jamie Eva says
Rande & Family
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this sad time. She was an amazing woman and will be greatly missed.
Jim Haugen says
Leroy
I haven’t seen you in a long while, but you have my most significant thoughts during your difficult time…an old friend from Sidney. Jim haugen
Aletha Massengale says
So sorry to hear of your loss, Leroy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Don Pratt and family says
LeRoy:My condolences go out to you and your family at this time of your loss. I know God will help you thru this period of grief. If I can be of any help please call on me.
Ben and Charmaine Everett says
Our prayers and sympathy are extended to Leroy, sons and families and to Evie and all the Niland family. Caroline was a childhood friend of mine at St. Paul’s School in Anaconda and graduated high school with Ben in 1970. It is no surprise that her kind and gentle spirit has touched so many lives and inspired such a loving tribute. Surely her intercession for all those she loved will continue from her home in heaven. God bless you in your grief.
Karen Niland says
I just heard of your loss.I am truly sorry,my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tessa Gray says
Leroy and Family,
So sorry to hear of Carolyn’s passing, she was a great co worker and person. My thoughts are with you.
christian henderson says
i miss her so much i was her first grand child
Ashlee Henderson says
I miss her so much even tho it’s been years