Douglas Dean (Doug) Fandrich of East Helena died on March 30, 2018 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena due to complication of pneumonia following surgery and after a long illness with diabetes. Doug spent the last year as a resident at the Shelby House Assisted Living facility.
Doug was born on June 20, 1942 in Townsend, MT to Abraham and Amy (Hinch) Fandrich. He graduated from Broadwater County High School in 1960 and went to work for the County of Broadwater for a short time and then for the US Bureau of Reclamation surveying around Canyon Ferry Dam until October 1962 when he began a 30 year career as a Draftsman and then Designer for the Department of Highways of the State of Montana, now the Montana Department of Transportation. During this time, he also worked part-time as a surveyor with the late Art Rader. Doug and Helen (Goetz) Fandrich were married at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Helena in September 1965. He retired in April 1993, working for Paul’s Office Products in Helena before establishing Doug’s Fix-It Shop. He was forced to finally retire due to illness in 2013.
Doug was an avid outdoorsman and bowler. He was very community minded, serving with the Helena Aerie #16, Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Boards of Penkay Eagles Manor and Eagles Manor #2 and the East Helena Kiwanis Club. In November 2016 he received a 50-year certificate as a member of the Grand Lodge of Montana, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, Valley Lodge #3 Townsend.
Doug was preceded in death by: his parents, Abe and Amy Fandrich; father and mother-in-law, Reinhold and Eleanor Goetz; brothers-in-law, Ray Horne, Alan Dale and Ivan Goetz; nephews, Dean Horne and Dirk Reister; and many uncles and aunts. He is survived by: his wife of 52 years, Helen (Goetz) Fandrich; sons, Ryan D. Fandrich and Randall D. Fandrich; granddaughter, Megan Marie Fandrich; sisters, Betty Horne and Margo Dale; brother, Abe Fandrich (Cathy) of; brother-in-law, LeRoy Reister; sister-in-law, Irene (Dacre) Duke and Phyllis (Ken) Mosby; and many nieces and grand-nieces and nephews and grand-nephews. He is also survived by his aunt, Helen Goetz and his dedicated care-giver Shelby Cleveland and her staff and residents.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating Doug’s life will be conducted by Lowell Bartels at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the East Helena United Methodist Church, 50 Prickley Pear Avenue. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Westmont Farm in the Dell, 1208 Poplar, Helena, MT 59601. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Doug.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday April 3, 2018
East Helena United Methodist Church
50 Prickley Pear Avenue
East Helena , Montana 59635
Reception
Following the service
Tuesday April 3, 2018
East Helena United Methodist Chuch Fellowship Hall
50 Prickey Pear Avenue
East Helena , Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday April 3, 2018
East Helena United Methodist Church
50 Prickley Pear Avenue
East Helena , Montana 59635
Reception
Following the service
Tuesday April 3, 2018
East Helena United Methodist Chuch Fellowship Hall
50 Prickey Pear Avenue
East Helena , Montana 59635
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Dudley williams says
Sorry to hear about Doug. My condolences to your family.
Ward and Sherry Scoffiekd says
Our condolences to all of Doug’s family.
Ward and Sherry Scoffield
Townsend
Mary Kay Bennett says
Helen,
My thoughts and prayers are with you & your family.
May God bless you all.
Mary Kay & George Bennett
Leon and Marsha Belville says
Helen- Leon and I are saddened to hear of Doug’s passing. He had a tough time for quite awhile. Prayers to you and family. God bless you. Marsha and Leon
Terri Maness Norman says
Helen, Ryan and Randy-
Sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Teresa Graham says
Helen and family, so very sorry for your loss. My thoyghts and prayers are with you. Teresa Graham
Steve, Jeri Mosby and Family says
Helen Ryan and Randy sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you guys. The Helena Mosby’s
LaDonna says
Helen, Randy and Ryan,
We extend our deepest sympathies
Wally and LaDonna Bell
Vicky (Jones) Dolven says
Helen, Betty, Margo, Abe and family, I am so sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. He was a very special guy. You will be in my prayers for peace and comfort as you go through this difficult time.
Michelle Van Nice says
Sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.
matt & chiko Olson says
Helen, Sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. Although we haven’t seen him in quite a while, we do have found memories of both your friendship over the years and him welcoming us to Helena. We will forever be appreciative for his many encouraging words and helping us along the way. We will keep you close in our prayers, Matt and Chik
Marg says
Doug’s beloved family. I was a classmate of Doug’s throughout our many years spent at Broadwater. I have not seen Doug since we graduated however I wanted to sent my love with blessings to his family. My maiden name was Davis.
Brad Bomar says
Sorry for your loss.
Brad and Jenny Bomar
Bill Moore says
sorry to hear about Doug great guy
Al (Mickey) Anders says
AL Anders
Was sorry to hear the news about Doug. We were friends for many years and I will miss the thought we cannot get together again in this world.
Liz Mogstad says
So sorry for your loss, Helen. We are thinking about you.
Bobbie Scott says
Helen, Randy and Ryan I was so sorry to hear about Doug. I Have good memories of him when our boys were in Cub Scouts together. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Laurena Stephens says
Helen and family,
Thinking of you all with deepest sympathy.
Hines family says
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please find comfort in God’s sure promise
of a resurrection as set forth in the Bible. Acts 24:15, John 5: 28,29
Those who are raised to life will have the prospect of never again being
subject to misery, sickness, or death. Revelation 21:4 I hope that reflecting
on these thoughts will give you some relief during this difficult time.
A friend