Dorothy M. (Leach) Dean, age 84, of Helena

Dorothy (Leach) Dean passed away 9/22/18 after a brief illness.

She was born at home in Unionville, MT on 12-31-33 to Mary E. Little and Charles Harold Little. She attended elementary school in Unionville when it was a 1 room school. After her father’s passing they moved into Helena and she briefly attended Hawthorn school, before attending and graduating 8^th grade from Central school. She attended and graduated from the NEW Helena High school in 1951. (This school is now known as Helena Middle School.)

Dorothy met Arthur Leach (from Townsend and they were married 12-26-50 before he shipped off to fight in the Korean war. She finished school then started a job with the Federal Reserve. Later they had 2 children: Michael (Mary Jo Morgan) Leach of Helena, and Debbie (Nels) Strandberg of Helena. Arthur was tragically killed in an accident in 1956 and Dorothy did not remarry for many years.

Dorothy met C. Dudley Dean 3-17-77 and they married 1/28/78. She raised and loved his children as her own: C David Dean of Carson City NV, Laurie Dean (Chet Garlow) of Agua Dulce CA, and C Daniel (Twila) Dean of Clancy MT.

Dorothy liked her many jobs, working many years as a bookkeeper for Standard Oil Bulk plant, and her job with tax payer service with the IRS. She and Dudley had a craft business for many years which both enjoyed.  Dorothy was also a member of the FOE 16 and enjoyed being on the drill team when she was younger and was a past president. She belonged to the American Business Women’s Association and was a past president and was proud to have served as a member of the Helena and State Women’s bowling league for many years.

Dorothy is survived by her sister Mary Lou (Ed) Wolstein of Butte, and her 5 children. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Denise (David) Hunter of Missoula, John Fagan (Shannon Kaye Voyson) of Agua Dulce CA, Janina (Colton) Huftel of Portland IN, Falicia Leach of Helena MT, Dexter Dean, Maggie Dean, and Dawson Dean all from Clancy MT, Meghan Olson and John (JC) Bodine of Agua Dulce CA, David J Dean of Rapid City SD, and Sammy Dean of Rapid City SD. She is also survived by 2 great grandchildren: Dalton Hunter of Missoula MT, and Zeke Walker of Rapid City SD.

A Viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 28, 2018 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 North Montana Ave. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 North Montana Ave, Helena, MT. Immediately after the service, a reception will follow in the social hall of the Funeral Home. Interment will be at Forestvale Cemetery following the reception.

A special thank you to all the people at Beehive Assisted Living for their help and support during Dorothy’s time there.

Memorials or donations can be made to the charity of their choice. Mom’s favorites were: Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, & St Jude.

Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Dorothy.

Service Schedule

Viewing

1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friday September 28, 2018

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Funeral Service

11:00 a.m.

Saturday September 29, 2018

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Reception

After the service

Saturday September 29, 2018

Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Burial

Following the reception

Saturday September 29, 2018

Forestvale Cemetery

690 Forestvale Rd.

Helena, Montana 59602

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