Claudia (Lollie) Jean Wedum Peck died peacefully at home on February 17th, 2017, with her family at her side after a nearly two-year, bravely fought battle with lung cancer.
Claudia was born on November 12, 1946, in Great Falls, MT, as the youngest member of the Carl and Janet Wedum Family. She was raised in Choteau, MT graduating as a proud Bulldog from Choteau High School in 1965. She earned the nickname Lollie as an infant when her older brother couldn’t say Claudia, so instead he called her Lollie, and the name stuck when everybody else in the family began calling her Lollie as well. In 1967, she met her soon to be husband Gary Peck while Gary was working construction in Choteau, and they shared 47 wonderful, glorious, fun-filled years together. Soon after their wedding, Claudia and Gary moved to Helena and started their family with the birth of their daughters, Janette and Annita. Claudia worked at Terry’s convenience store for many years before Gary’s job opportunities took the family to Spokane, WA, for the next two years.
Yearning to return to Montana, Claudia and Gary moved to Great Falls in 1976 and planted roots there until 1992. While in Great Falls, Claudia did bookkeeping for Builders Transport and made many lifelong friends with her coworkers there. In 1992, Gary and Claudia decided to return to Helena and live near their dear friends there while running the Chop Shop framing business out of their home. They bought land at McClellan Creek and built their home there where they resided for the next 17 years. Claudia returned to Terry’s convenience store for a few years before going to work for Big Sky Plumbing until her retirement in 2009. Life at McClellan Creek was wonderful for Mom. She loved living in the mountains overlooking the creek, feeding her birds and deer, and working endlessly on hauling rock for her beautiful hillside garden. She also loved to bowl and play pool. Claudia and Gary made many more lifelong friends while living in Helena, and their home was a revolving door of friends and family, all of whom Claudia loved seeing and loved cooking for.
Upon her retirement, Claudia and Gary hit the road as full-time RVers, spending their summers at McClellan Creek and their winters in Quartzsite, AZ, in their 40-foot RV. While in Arizona, Gary and Claudia enjoyed crafting and selling their wares at the many area flea markets, going to coin hunts, and beautifying their desert garden. She also enjoyed exploring the desert in the RZR with her Arizona friends. When the cancer made traveling impossible, Gary and Claudia chose to remain in Helena after the summer of 2016 so that Claudia could continue receiving treatment there. They then returned to Great Falls to be with family where Mom enjoyed the last month of her life spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, brothers, sister, and her many dear friends. Mom was a passionate and unwavering Seattle Seahawks fan who never missed a game. She was a sweet, sweet-spirit who lived life to the fullest, laughed hardest at herself, and loved her family unconditionally.
Claudia is survived by her husband Gary Peck; daughters Janette Kemph (Robert) of Great Falls, and Annita Ferencz (Doug) of Woodbridge, VA; favorite granddaughter Kayla Sevalstad; grandsons Joshua Kemph (Alisha), and Andrew and Michael Ferencz; great grandchildren KallieAnn and Collin; sister Carol Kelly (Roger) of Choteau; brothers Neal (Pam) and David Wedum, also of Choteau, and several loving nieces and nephews whom Claudia adored. She was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Carl and Janet, and her brothers Jim and Leslie Wedum.
Funeral services will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 North Montana Avenue in Helena, MT, Saturday, March 4th at 1:00 p.m. Reception will follow at the Eagles 4040 in East Helena. In lieu of traditional drab and stuffy funeral clothes, please feel free to wear blue and green Seattle colors as a tribute to Claudia’s steadfast love for the Seahawks.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. The Peck Family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and volunteers at the St. Peter’s Oncology Clinic for the wonderful care and friendship they provided Claudia during her treatment.
Please see below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Claudia
W.W says
My sincere condolences to the Peck family on the loss of your loved one. Death can bring much tears and pain but may your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of times spent together and have comfort in God’s promise of a new world where death will be no.(Isaiah 25:8) My deepest sympathy to you all.
Marilyn Smallwood Trissell says
So very sorry for your loss..i remember Claudia from high school..she was in my sister’s class..
MICHAEL Wedum says
Great is Claudia’s Joy as she gazes upon the face of our Lord and Savior Jesus. He will say, “job well done my faithful child, you ran the race and won the crown of life never-ending Love & Joy”. Bask in the warmth of the light of God and live forever. I know my Dad James Wedum has already welcomed My Aunt. GOD bless your family as they grieve your loss & miss you. Your nephew Michael Wedum and Selina Wedum.
Jenny Eberly says
Gary and family,
Every time I meet you and Claudia, she would light up a room.
During the estate sale for Becky, her and I could have talked for hours about the SEAHAWKS.
I even offered to have you “stay around”, but you said the RV was calling, sans MT winters.
Gary, I pray that God keep you close in this time of need. May he hear your every whisper even those that come from your heart at times of cherished memories. May his shoulders be present to dry your tears and give you hugs of comfort, and to show support and love.
Betty Fjeldheim Clark says
I so loved reading this. Thank you for helping us catch up and share.
Dona Johnson says
so sorry for the loss of Claudia. We had many wonderful memories working for the metal detectors club in Quartzsite,Arizona. Claudia was a very bubbly person and a great asset to the club. May she rest in peace. Hugs to Gary from dona and Elvin Johnson of Ontario,Canada
Joe & Donna Wallingford says
Claudia was our ray of sunshine here in the Quartzsite desert! She welcomed everyone that stopped by their fifth wheel and always had coffee to offer!! Gary and Claudia shared many times with us at our Metal detecting club, going to the Cardinals and Seahawk game in Phoenix, watching the Parker 425 desert race and several super Bowl parties together plus lots of chats around the fire! We are a better person for knowing Claudia…. what a great person who will be missed terribly! God Bless her and keep her…
Diane Hansen says
I too have many memories of Claudia; but the most recent is of conversations that she, one other classmate, and Betsy Hightower Gaylord shared at the 50th class reunion in Choteau in July 2015. Betsy had some inkling she had cancer, but did not want it confirmed by a Dr. She said the three of them shared stories of their experiences and truly had a good time reminiscing of times past and the future. I missed out on this last gathering because my younger sister, Donna, was just starting her surgery, chemo, radiation, and reconstruction with her own cancer. I followed Claudia’s Facebook posts and hoped, prayed, and expected her to win this battle. I am so sorry for your loss. I know classmates Betsy, Margaret, Tom, John, Jim, Robert, and all the others that have gone on before were there to greet her. What a celebration!!! And one more thot that I heard at my brother-in-laws funeral, as he sailed away into his future, those on the shore, left behind were in tears and heartache; those at his arrival were over joyed, that he had finally returned to their arms and embraces. And now her life begins anew and she’ll be waiting to welcome us. Always, Diane
Lyna Ravndal says
We are so sorry to hear of Claudia’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gary and family.
She was always so happy and a joy to be around. We will truly miss her.
Marcia Lee Bennyhoff says
Gary and family – I’m so sad to hear of Claudia’s passing. My condolences to all of you. I remember the smile on Claudia’s face the last time I saw her and her laugh. All of you are in my prayers.
Bernice Zollner says
Very sorry to hear about your mom, Janette. I hope that you are doing alright. Your mom and dad were always so nice and understanding of all of us girls. I always admired that they had their own business and that it was on the south side of GF. Your parents did a great job of raising you and your sister. Visiting this summer, I hope we can catch up. Much love to you Jet Set.