Elaine Jane Lucas passed away peacefully August 6, 2014 at St. Peters Hospital, surrounded by her family after her second battle with cancer. Elaine was 75 years old.
Born June 1, 1939 to William and Elsa Bieber in Sidney MT, Elaine was the 5th of 14 children. Raised on a farm in Townsend MT she learned to work hard and appreciate the little things in life. She enjoyed playing with her siblings and taking care of the younger ones. She graduated from Townsend High School and moved to the big city of Helena where she met the love of her life Marion “Joe” Lucas.
Joe and Elaine married December 12, 1959. She and Joe raised 3 children in the Helena area. Most weekends you could find them out at Confederate Bay camping and fishing with family and friends. She loved fishing and could out fish most, rain or shine. The yearly paddle fishing trips to Fred Robinson Bridge were always looked forward to and adventurous. Family reunions at the Farm, Lake, or various places throughout the State of Montana always kept a close family bond.
She worked for Morrison -Maierle for many years and later retired from the State of Montana, Dept. of Health.
Raising her children and later enjoying grandchildren has been a highlight in her life. She never missed a home game – Basketball, Football, Baseball, and Volleyball, she loved them all. Some of her greatest pleasures were watching her grandkids, nieces, nephews, and friend’s kids play sports. She loved to play card games and dominoes with anyone that would play. She enjoyed her weekly luncheons with her friends and always loved to share stories about her grandchildren. She loved to travel and made yearly trips to Florida and other states. She loved sports and was a big Green Bay Packers fan. Some of her favorite weekends were spent at “The Ranch” relaxing, going for drives in the hills, and playing games until all hours of the night.
Elaine lived life with the attitude that there is always someone worse off than me. Through all of life’s trials she kept this attitude in mind. She had a selfless spirit and never hesitated to help out her family and friends. She has been the one to go to for advice, help, and support (or just to gossip). Her door was always open.
Elaine is preceded in death by her husband, Marion “Joe” Lucas, her parents, William and Elsa Bieber, Brothers; Leroy Bieber, Elmer Bieber, Jonathan Bieber, and Nathan Bieber; Sisters; Julia Dowling, and Gloria Hasler as well as 3 infant sons.
Elaine is survived by her children; Joseph (Renee) Lucas, of Helena, MT; Corey (Dawn) Lucas of Helena, MT; and Naomi Lucas Fincher (Jim Heimberg) of Las Vegas, NV. Siblings; Billy (Betty) Bieber of Warroad, Minnesota, Dennis Bieber of Townsend, Tim (Kim) Bieber of East Helena, Irene (Allan) Brug of Ashton, Idaho, Mardella (Bruce) Brock of Bozeman, Arlene (Rick) Rader of Jacksonville, Florida, and Carynn (Phillip) Lemieux of Helena. Grandchildren: Ashley Riding, Tyler Lucas, Anna Weber, Dylan Page, Colby Keisel, Cody Lucas, Brooklynn Keisel, and Kasydi Lucas.
The family would like to express its gratitude to The Cancer Center at St. Peters Hospital and the wonderful caring staff of the Oncology Unit. Their loving care through the years has been full of love and support. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to The Cancer Center at St. Peters Hospital; C/O St. Peter’s Hospital 2475 Broadway Street, Helena, Montana 59601. Thank you Doctor Weiner and staff, there are not enough words to express our gratitude.
A memorial service celebrating Elaine’s life will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 10, 2014 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A reception will immediately follow in the social center of the funeral home. Interment of her cremated remains will be at East Helena Cemetery with her husband, Joe.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Sunday August 10, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the memorial service
Sunday August 10, 2014
Social Center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
,
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Sunday August 10, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the memorial service
Sunday August 10, 2014
Social Center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
,
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Haylee says
I remember I used to ask her about her stories of her and my grandpa when they were little she told me about her saving my grandpa from a mad bull she said it was a stormy day and they were out doing chores and my grandpa went into a pasture with a crazy mad bull and she was going in their house because their parents saw a storm coming but grandpa didn’t hear them and she ran to the pasture the bull was blindfolded but still saw them and he charged them and Aunt Elaine grabbed grandpa and went under an old wagon that was in the field and the bull hit the wagon and her parents saw they were scared but stayed with the others and the bull finally went away when the storm ended and she and grandpa got out underneath the wagon and ran to the house and that was my favorite story she had ever told tome about her childhood she had a lot of stories about saving grandpa though. I remember I went to visit her on my birthday and before I left I always gave her a hug and that day she gave me a special whisper she said I was a very special little girl to her and she loves me very very much and she will always be with me know matter what happened. I will always remember those special memories with her love you Aunt Elaine see you later in life love Haylee
Haylee says
I miss you a lot Aunt Elaine xoxo love you love Haylee
Haylee says
I can’t believe you are even gone I really got an inspiration from you and thank you for catching grandpa when he cheated at dominoes love you love Haylee
kim says
What I remember most is that everything was more fun when Elaine was there and never a dull moment. She was always there for Tim and I and our family. In so many ways we will miss her.
Diane Richter Pedersen says
Corey , Dawn and families:
I was so sorry to learn that your mother passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this difficult time. God Bless you all. Diane Pedersen
Dana Petersen says
Corey, Dawn and Family
I am sad to here of your mothers passing, Please let me know if there is anything I can do. You and your family are in my prayers. God Bless.
Dana Petersen
Bob & Marley Riding says
Renee’, Joe, & family
Just want you to know we are thinking of you. Elaine was a special lady. We always enjoyed the time we were able to visit with her. She holds a special place in our hearts. We are so grateful for all you did for her and know the Lord has watched over all of you and will continue to do so. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Mom & Dad
Anna says
To the entire family I just wanted to say thank you and my heart goes out to all of you. Grandma Elaine was one of the most amazing and inspiring women in the world and I owe so much in my life to her. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone right now. Love you all.
Renee Lucas says
It has been my honor and privilege to know such a wonderful woman and have her in my life for the last 10 years. I cannot express what a special person she was. The giving spirit she possessed is rare, always putting others above herself. As our families blended together she brought us in as her own. I will miss her laugh during funny movies and questions of what’s going on. I will miss her sitting at the table each morning doing her crossword puzzles with the news on. I will miss the unexpected packages from QVC – just because she saw something she thought you may like. She will be missed, never forgotten, and always loved.
Shirley Lambeth says
What a wonderful, dear and sweet person we have all lost. I worked with Elaine many years at DPHHS and she was always so friendly and helpful. Words cannot express my sense of loss for her. She fought a courageous battle for so many years but was always more concerned about the other person. May God be with her and her family.
Kasydi Lucas says
I miss you gram! I still remember my first high school sports game I played in after you passed, and I looked up in the stands to see you looking for my parents, even though you always beat them there! I will cherish all those nights we stayed up until 2 in the morning playing Yahtzee; you always managed to pull off a Yahtzee in a time of need! Thank you for teaching me what’s most important in life: family, friends, and laughter. There was never a dull moment with you. You demonstrated what a heart of gold does in tough situations: just keep fighting! I love you so so much!