“…. do you want 3 eggs and 4 pieces of extra crispy bacon?”
Eva Katherine Screnar, 95, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2017. Eva was born to Lawrence and Mary Helfert, on October 27, 1921 in Claisoil, MT near East Helena. The youngest of six children, Eva was raised on the family farm and often reminisced about riding her favorite horse, Diamond, to school.
Eva married Albert “Luke” Screnar, on October 30, 1940 in Helena Montana. They were married for 63 years until Luke’s death in 2004. Together they raised their 3 children, Jimmy, Judy and Nancy in the house she lived in for over 70 years.
First and foremost, Eva believed in family. She was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Great-Great-Grandmother. She took great pride in cooking for her family and hosted many family meals. She insisted you must have a second helping and always sent you home with heaping plate of her delicious food. Her spirit will live on around our kitchen tables and in the hearts of her family.
Eva was deeply committed to serving the East Helena community. She was a member of the local 4-H, a leader with East Helena’s Boy Scouts and a regular volunteer a St. Ann’s Grade School. Eva was a life-long member of SS Cyril Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena and sang, with her beautiful soprano voice, in the Church Choir. She also cooked for and served priests at Carroll College.
Eva was an avid lover of baseball and enjoyed rooting for the East Helena Smelterites and Helena Brewers. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles and card games, especially playing with her grandchildren. There wasn’t a puzzle she couldn’t solve or a game she couldn’t win. Eva was a master gardener and always had one of the most beautiful and colorful gardens in town. She also enjoyed getting her hair done, and always looked forward to her regular hair appointments with her granddaughter, Jenny.
Eva is preceded in death by her late husband Albert “Luke” Screnar, parents Lawrence and Mary Helfert, 5 siblings Mike, Mary (Hohn), Larry, Nick and Elizabeth (Diehl) and several nieces and nephews.
Eva is survived by her 3 children and their spouses, Jim (Pat) Screnar, Judy Harris and Nancy (Mike) O’Dell; her 8 grandchildren, Kelly Harris (Stacy), Jody Harris, Darcy O’Dell, Brian Screnar, Jennifer Balcerzak (Randy), David Screnar (Emily), Mark O’Dell (Mandy) and Rachel Screnar (Colter Delin); her 9 great-grandchildren, Brock Harris, Alecia Rusek, Mya O’Dell, Jenna O’Dell, Henry Screnar, Jayden O’Dell, Harper Screnar and twins Carter and Chloe Screnar; and her 2 great-great-granddaughters, Haven Harris and several nieces and nephews.
Luke and Eva Screnar were long-time pillars of the East Helena community. They will be dearly missed.
A viewing will be held from 5:30 p.m. with a vigil and Rosary to be prayed at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 23rd at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 120 W. Riggs Street in East Helena. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 24th at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. A graveside service will immediately follow the Mass at St. Ann’s Cemetery in East Helena. A reception will follow the graveside service in the social hall of the church. Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:30 p.m.
Thursday February 23, 2017
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs St.
East Helena, Montana 59635
Vigil
6:30 p.m.
Thursday February 23, 2017
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs St.
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Friday February 24, 2017
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday February 24, 2017
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday February 24, 2017
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:30 p.m.
Thursday February 23, 2017
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs St.
East Helena, Montana 59635
Vigil
6:30 p.m.
Thursday February 23, 2017
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs St.
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Friday February 24, 2017
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday February 24, 2017
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday February 24, 2017
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Terry Harris says
Judy, so sorry for the loss of your mother. I will say a prayer for her and you.
Denise says
I know Eva will be missed. I hope you treasure your memories of her. Eva blessed many people with her wit and her cooking. My heart goes out to her family.
Billie Jo Meglen says
Jim and Judy, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. Know you are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you and your families.
Sandy Owens says
Eva was my neighbor for over 40 years.she will be missed. I love you Eva rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Kathleen Hunthausen says
Eva was my mother’s good friend. They were both long time East Helena matriarchs, and are now enjoying each other in heaven. I extend sympathy to all of Eva”s family.
Alice & Bill Dove says
Jim, & Judy, I am so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing, Your in my prayers. Sorry I can’t attend the funeral, we are out of State right now.
Former MT. neighbors Valerie and Bob says
Judy and family,
Sorry to hear about your mom…mine passed 4 months ago.
You probably don’t remember us (Valerie and Bob) but we lived
across the alley from John and Coreen who were next door to you.
We now live in FL. and miss Helena and our nice neighborhood.
Your mom’s obit is lovely and she must have been quite the lady.
May God bless and comfort you and cherish all your beautiful memories
which will help carry you through the tough days.
Valerie and Bob
Jannice Odermann (Diehl) says
I can’t think of Eva without thinking about her sister, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was my grandma and I remember her taking me over to Eva and Luke’s house. Eva was so sweet and always ready to entertain. They were ladies from a generation I admire and miss. God Bless all those with sad hearts.
Steve Lozar says
While giving the traditional Native American ground blessing for the new Montana Heritage Center , I met another part Native traditional drummer and singer. His name is Darcy O’Nell from East Helena. He said he was the great grandson of a lady who immigrated to the USA and her immigration sponsor was my Great Grandfather from Slovenia. I immediately thought of the most wonderful lady I knew and visited often in East Helena. Her name was Eva Screnar. She was the daughter of the immigrant my great grandfather sponsored. Eva was an encyclopedia of East Helena and generations of the towns families. I learned SO much about my own family history. Eva shared her knowledge freely and openly. A belated hvala ‘ to you Eva! Should you see great grandpa there in heaven be sure to ask him ‘Kya tovya piwo’?