Eleanor Marie (Skufca) Hiltner
Our dearly loved, and deeply missed, Eleanor, passed from us on October 14, 2012.
Eleanor was born inHelena,Montana, on March 27, 1926 to Frank and Mary Skufca Sr.
Eleanor was the second of two children. Her older brother by five years was Frank Skufca Jr. Eleanor graduated from Helena High School in 1944. She went on to cosmetology school and worked at Blue Shield inHelena until she married Raymond Hiltner in 1955. She then became a homemaker and mother. Eleanor resided inEast Helena all of her life until moving into the Waterford in Helena in 2009 with Raymond. At that time she acquired more friends and became reacquainted with friends from earlier times , including coworkers from Blue Shield, which helped to make the later years special for her. In July 2012, due to her rapidly declining health, she moved to Elkhorn Rehab in Clancy, where she passed away of natural causes.
Eleanor lived her life to the fullest. She was always busy and enjoyed taking care of others. She liked to skate, ride bike, fish, cook, picnic and make sure everyone was always properly fed. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandson Sam, who was a shining star to her during her twilight years. She deeply cared for her family members, neighbors and friends, and also for others even if she did not know them. Throughout her life she always put others first (unless a dessert was involved!), and it was especially important to her that no one ever be forgotten or left out. She loved to visit with family and friends and their children. Eleanor showed hope and perseverance all of her life, even when faced with overwhelming odds. And yes, the roads may have become a little safer when she finally had to give up driving in 2008.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her father Frank in 1979, her mother Mary in 1990, her brother Frank Jr in 2007 and her husband of 54 years, Raymond in 2009. She is survived by her son, David (Kelli) Hiltner and grandson Samuel Hiltner, of Lake Stevens,Washington. She is also survived by her nieces, Laura (John) Linjanen of Helena, Karla (Al) Jeremia of Kailua, Hawaii, Marian Revelle of Hot Springs, South Dakota and nephew John (Carol) Skufca of Las Vegas, Nevada, and her brother-in-law Leo Hiltner of East Helena. She is additionally survived by several great nieces and great nephews, their children, her cousins, and many friends and neighbors, all of which were special to her.
Services to celebrate Eleanor’s life and passing will be at Ss Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena on October 19, 2012 at 1 pm. A short reception will follow before she is laid to rest with Raymond at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice or to Frontier Health and Hospice. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Eleanor, please sign below.
Service Schedule
Mass of Christian Burial
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena , Montana 59635
Reception
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena , Montana 59635
Inurnment
3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison , Montana
Service Schedule
Mass of Christian Burial
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena , Montana 59635
Reception
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena , Montana 59635
Inurnment
3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison , Montana
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Marge Holstine says
I had the privilege of doing Elenor’s hair for many years. She was truly a beautiful lady inside and out. I always looked forward to her visits…………we had lots of good laughs and fun times. She touched so many and will be missed but with warm memories~
Betty Jane NelsonStromberg says
Eleanor was a lovely, caring person!!! She was a classmate & good friend of my sister Beth
Nelson Scanlan. We had only seen her occasionally for many years, but when my sister passed away in 2010, she sent me a beautiful hand written note that was so precious to me
I was so happy to receive it !!! She was such a. Lovely lady and will be sadly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing her.
LeRoy & Patti Stein says
Eleanor was a real lady, so sweet and friendly. We got to know her when she and Ray lived in Glentana for one or two summers. We corresponded off and on through the years. She was always so kind and caring and we were happy that we got the chance to have her for a friend.