Ellen Knox Fleming, age 92, of Helena passed away September 27, 2013 at a local care facility in East Helena.
Ellen was born May 22, 1921 to William D. and Ethel A. Knox, homesteaders on Sage Creek near Dell, Montana and attended the one room school house which is now The Yesterday’s Cafe. She graduated from Beaverhead High School in Dillon, Montana in 1939.
Ellen was a delight to all who knew her. Despite all her many losses over the years, she maintained a positive outlook on life and a really keen sense of humor. She dearly loved gardening and was always “puttering” around outside.
Ellen married Thomas James (Jim) Carpita in 1940. One of her memories of Jim is when they lived in a boxcar next to the RR tracks. They had three sons, James, David and John. Jim died August 17, 1946. Ellen and the three boys lived in Dillon after his death.
On May 4, 1957 Ellen married Leo C. Flint and they moved to Helena. Leo worked for the Forest Service. To this union two sons were born, Dale Patrick and Gary Leon. Dale died at the age of 2 weeks. Leo and Gary were both killed in a car accident near Dillon on Memorial Day 1970.
On Valentine’s Day 1973 Ellen married Deforest Thompson. They resided in Helena. Deforest died in November of 1974. Leo and Deforest played for dances in the Centennial Valley in their younger days.
Ellen married Richard A. Fleming in May 1982. Richard died in September 2006.
Survivors include sons James R. Carpita (Anne – who died in October 2010) of Helena, David D. Carpita (Nitokrees) of St. Remy, France and John W. Carpita (Linda) of Issaquah, WA, Brother Carl (Shirley) Knox of Lima, sister Marie Gibbons of Portland, sister Alice (James) Brown and sister Anna Jeanne (Dave) Moss all of Lima. Another sister Gertrude (Dick) Gosman preceded her in death.
Eight grandchildren survive. Two grandsons preceded her in death, Jeffrey Carpita and James Anthony Carpita. She is survived by twelve great grandsons and six great granddaughters.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Grace United Methodist Church in Dillon, MT. A reception will follow the burial at the church. Burial will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, Dillon, next to Leo Flint. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Ellen, please visit below.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday October 5, 2013
Grace United Methodist Church
131 E. Bannack St.
Dillon, Montana 59725
Reception
Following the Service
Saturday October 5, 2013
Grace United Methodist Church
131 E. Bannack St.
Dillon, Montana 59725
Inurnment
Following the Reception
Saturday October 5, 2013
Mountain View Cemetery
Dillon, Montana 59725
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday October 5, 2013
Grace United Methodist Church
131 E. Bannack St.
Dillon, Montana 59725
Reception
Following the Service
Saturday October 5, 2013
Grace United Methodist Church
131 E. Bannack St.
Dillon, Montana 59725
Inurnment
Following the Reception
Saturday October 5, 2013
Mountain View Cemetery
Dillon, Montana 59725
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Larry and Jeanne Johns says
Jim, you and your family are in our prayers. God Bless.
Jack & Donna Schilla says
Peace be with you Jim, as God gives you His strength, at this time.
Katie Bowlds says
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family. She was a dear friend to my Grandma Ruby, who is also from Dillon, MT. Especially as a child, I remember how kind of her to be, and always welcomed me with open arms and a smile. I knew her as “Bessie,” all my life. She is a dear friend of my family’s as well. She will be missed.