Christine (Chris) Ann Wethern passed peacefully from this earth at her home in Clancy, MT, on July 23, 2019, at the age of 65, after valiantly fighting pancreatic cancer for more than a year.
Born a cheesehead in Green Bay, WI, Chris remained in the midwest long enough to earn a B.S. in psychology from the University of Wisconsin, before moving to her adopted home state of Montana as a VISTA volunteer in 1976. Chris later earned a law degree from the University of Montana and a Master of Library Science from Texas Woman’s University. She worked as the staff attorney for the Montana Supreme Court for over 30 years, where she earned the respect of justices and lawyers alike and helped shape the jurisprudence of Montana’s highest court. An avid pet enthusiast, cross-country skier, and pianist, Chris was most at home tending her garden in the mountains outside of Clancy. She often shocked family members with her adventurous spirit by attending an all-Black college as an exchange student, taking up long-distance mountain biking in her 60s, travelling to Africa to meet her grandson, carving a bear from a stump in her first time using a chainsaw, and many other adventures.
Chris is survived by her adoring husband of 40 years, Leo Smetana; and by sons Aron Smetana (and wife Carrie) of Petaluma, CA; Andy Smetana (and wife Sherri) of Austin, TX; and Sam Smetana of Helena, MT. She is also survived by her mother, Dorothy Wethern of Eden Prairie, MN; her brothers Mark Wethern of Burnsville, MN, and Mike Wethern (and wife Elizabeth) of Mandeville, LA; her nieces Lauren Olsen of Lake Charles, LA, and Meredith Wethern of Baton Rouge, LA (LSU); by her perfect-in-every-way grandchildren Sadie, Emma, Lily, Sophie, and Henry; and by a remarkable community of beloved friends and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Chris’ name to the Lewis & Clark County Humane Society at https://lchsmontana.org/donate. A celebration of her life will take place from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, August 3, 2019 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in the social hall, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Chris.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday August 3, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday August 3, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Joslyn Hunt & Family says
Chris was by far the most positive person I have ever met and definitely one of the funniest. I always marveled at how much she loved life. She had an enviable curiosity for everything life had to offer. She was a beautiful and wonderful person who had a smile that was contagious. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family. She will be dearly missed.
Jim and Linda Gillett says
We are so sorry of your loss. our deepest sympathies to you Leo and sons Aaron, Andy and Sam.
Thinking of you.
Cheryl & Randy Vukasin says
What a beautiful, kind and caring soul. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Leo & family in this most difficult time. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Randy & Cheryl Vukasin
David Rusoff says
I’m very sorry for your loss. Chris was a classmate and in law school, and we shared the same study area with two other classmates. I didn’t see Chris often after law school, but we both worked in Helena, and we ran into each other occasionally. Chris had a great sense of humor and was a wonderful person. We all will miss her very much. David Rusoff, Helena
Jeanne Koehne says
I met Chris in a small yoga class many years ago. My fondest memories are of when she was awaiting the arrivals of Lily and Sophie and planning to go see them for the first time and then some years later – going to meet Henry for the first time. Becoming a grandmother changed her life in the best of ways! I remember when she was going to Austin to babysit the twins all by herself for a few days – I couldn’t imagine doing that. A very brave woman indeed! I will miss her dearly.
My condolences to Leo and family. Jeanne
Juanita Padden says
I was a secretary at the Supreme Court for five years and I got to know Chris and Sam when he was a baby and still nursing. After he was delivered by his Father during the lunch hour, Chris and a refreshed Sam would join me in the beautiful, spacious Court lunchroom right next door to Chris’s office.
Sam was about a year old when Chris told me that he had never been fed water because they were not sure their well water was safe for an infant. I was amazed, I gave water to my three babies to keep them on schedule between feedings.
Sam was carefully walking around the room; just learning to walk. I said,”Chris, can I give him a drink from this five gallon water bottle?” She said, “Sure, go ahead.” In my mind I could see him gulping down that little ¼” of water, in those little two ounce paper cups that I held to his lips, madly thirsty. Sam very willingly drank a sip of the water. Then, he looked at me with those big beautiful blue eyes and let the water just run out of his mouth! It was just like he said, “This stuff you gave me is absolutely tasteless and no good!”
We dissolved in laughter. Obviously, he did not need or want any water.
I am so sorry of your loss of Chris. I had no idea she was ill, as I left the Court and didn’t have contact. I am honored to have known her and counted her as a friend.
Truly,
Juanita Padden
Lora Burger says
We hope the love and support from your loved ones around you brings you peace during this difficult time. Our deepest condolences to you all.
Lora & Don Burger
Jennifer Schade says
Sam and Family,
I am so very, very sorry for your loss. Our son, Ricky Schade, has so many wonderful things to say about your mom. I pray you find comfort in your family and friends during this extremely difficult time.
Jennifer and Rick Schade
Jennifer Anders says
Chris and I clerked together in 1988-89 for Justice Fred Weber. Since Chris had already been there a year before my arrival, she was well versed in the goings on of the Court. She became a wonderful mentor and friend, and made a successful career of being one of the Court’s permanent fixtures. I took a different path, but we remained in touch and were happy to see eachother several years ago at the wedding of a mutual friend who worked in the Supreme Court Clerk Administrators office for many years. Chris was always down to earth, incredibly funny, and extremely wise. She loved her family immensely and was always eager to share their escapades. I will miss her humor, her rock solid approach to life, and her sage advice on everything from raising kids to training dogs.
Jodie Johnson says
I am a bit late finding out about Chris’ passing. I saw her name in the In Memoriam section of the U of M alumni magazine and was heartbroken. I clerked with Chris at the Montana Supreme Court in 1987-88. This was when Chris was clerking for her Justice. We became friends and I adored her, she was so warm and friendly and knew her way around the Court and was happy to show the ropes to a green new graduate. We, along with other staff, did Jane Fonda work out tapes in the Court lobby at lunch time and, in what might seem to be a contradictory effort, formed what we called “Pie Club” and would get and share a pie from Pioneer Pies with the same group. Everyone loved and respected Chris so much that she was promoted to a position that was essentially created for her so the Supreme Court could keep her. I left the Court and then, later, left Helena so I lost contact with Chris. I did not forget her. I often heard her name, people always had something nice to say about Chris. I send my deepest sympathy and condolences to her family.
Diana Zimmerman says
My wonderful friend Chris was one of my closest friends. She married my ex-husband Leo in September of 1979. We had met her in ‘76 or ‘77 through Leo. She moved to Helena and they lived into an abandoned log cabin at the State Mine once they got permission . It was a stretch for both of us, but it reaped a deep and unusual friendships that lasted until she left us. She had a great sense of humor and my sons loved her. I miss the two of them deeply.