Elma May Gunstone (Lynch) passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025, just one week after her 87th birthday. She could never pass up a slice of birthday cake.
Elma was born on December 14, 1938, to Earl and Virgina Lynch in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She was one of six girls and one long-awaited boy, although that boy quickly became the “7th sister” and was often dressed up by his sisters in dresses, bows and lipstick. When Elma was 14, her family moved to the Glasgow, Montana area. There, Elma met her first husband, Karl Amundson, and together they had one son, Karl King. Elma lived in the area until moving to Helena in 1963 to be with her sister, Jenny.
After moving to Helena, Elma met her soulmate in Bill Gunstone. The two were introduced by her sister Jenny who also dated him “one or twice.” Together they built a home filled with love on their little farm in the valley. They raised two nieces, Susan and Lisa, in addition to Karl. Bill always told Elma that they had the three kids they wanted, a son and two daughters.
Elma’s generous spirit was widely known, and she was adored by everyone who knew her for her loving nature. She welcomed everyone into her home with love and acceptance. To Elma, everyone was family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister and grandmother. You could always see the love in her eyes and feel the love in her hugs.
One of Elma’s many passions were cake decorating, and she happily made wedding cakes for anyone who would supply her with the cake mixes—ask anyone in her orbit, and she probably made their wedding cake.
Elma cherished animals and raised many on their little farm. She passed this trait down to her children and grandchildren. Elma loved birds especially—everything from chickens to peacocks to swans—and she somehow always talked Bill into getting a new variety that struck her fancy. Each time a new bird came home, Bill would patiently build yet another bird enclosure to house her growing flock. In her later years, she became known around town as “The Dove Lady.” She and Bill eventually traveled the state to release doves at weddings and funerals. For 15 years she released doves for Race for the Cure, and she often laughed that the doves would beat her home after a release.
Elma also adored horses and taught her nieces, nephews, and grandkids how to ride. She would patiently saddle up the horses “just one more time” so that they could race up and down the road between their house and their neighbor’s, the Warren’s. Elma and Bill also took many pack trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness with their kids, grandkids and their close friends, Russell and Wanda Munson. They truly roughed it on these trips: no tents, just a tarp on the ground to sleep on and yet somehow everyone loved every minute.
Elma was preceded in death by her beloved Bill, her son Karl, and her sisters–Betty, Ruth, Doris, Mary, and Jenny. She is survived by her brother, Charles (Beverly) Lynch, daughter of her heart Lisa (Emery) Woolsey, grandchildren, Kris Amundson, Kasey (Lynzie) Amundson, Michelle (Wayne) Cain, Ashley Wiltrout, Katy (Jarred) Oberg, Shane (Shae) Woolsey, Drew (Joci) Woolsey, Hannah (Grant) Woolsey, great grandchildren Kyler (Alissa) Cain, Chole Cain, Colton Cain, nephews Greg (Rita) Gibson, Sonny Pippin, Jerry (Brandi) Lynch, Terry (Lori) Lynch, Charles II (Jenny) Lynch, as well as close life-long friends, including Russell and Wanda Munson, Betty Warren, and Borgie Evenrude. We are blessed to have Pastor Jim Pagels, longtime friend and neighbor, honor Elma in her service.
“I have had a good and happy life with many loved ones that I am thankful for. I thank our Lord for them. Don’t be sad for me, be happy!” -Elma
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday January 15, 2026, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A funeral service celebrating Elma’s life will be 10:00 a.m. Friday January 16, 2026, from Echo Church 2210 Dodge Avenue. Interment will follow the service at Forestvale Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial at the church.
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 15, 2026
Anderson Stevenson Wilke and Retz Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday January 16, 2026
Echo Church
2210 Dodge Avenue
Helena, Montana
Burial
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Friday January 16, 2026
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the burial
Friday January 16, 2026
Social Center of the church
2210 Dodge Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 15, 2026
Anderson Stevenson Wilke and Retz Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday January 16, 2026
Echo Church
2210 Dodge Avenue
Helena, Montana
Burial
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Friday January 16, 2026
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the burial
Friday January 16, 2026
Social Center of the church
2210 Dodge Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
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Betty Warren says
I knew when I first met Elma that I had a new friend. I can only name a few of the attributes she possessed–loving, kind, giving, a good listener, prayer warrior, willing to help, great advisor, confident–and this is only a few of the list. Elma loved raising, training, and releasing doves. I was thrilled to help in one release of multiple doves at the Capitol. She and Bill were neighbors of Tom Warren. Although I had met Tom through square dancing, Biil and Elma certainly nutured our relationship with hot tub opportunities, multiple visits, fellowsip through church, and enjoying various outings together. I saw numerous cakes being beautifully decorated for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. There is so much more that could be said about my precious friend, but, I rejoice that she no longer suffers and is now experiencing the joy of being with our Lord and Saviour. Love Bretty Warren