Garnet Ann Dietrich passed away at the age of 83 on Saturday, May 14th at St. Peter’s hospital surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with lymphoma.
Garnet was born on December 24, 1927 to Steve and Annie (Wagenbach) Petek. She lived a full and compassionate life in East Helena.
She was a member of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Parish, attended St. Ann’s grade school and graduated from Helena High School.
She married Jack Dietrich on May 24, 1952. Jack and Garnet had four children, Dennis, Diane, Kathleen and Pat.
In her youth, she enjoyed playing fast pitch softball and traveled to Arizona to play in the National Fastpitch Tournament as short stop.
She cared for her children as a homemaker until they were in school and then went to work for the City of East Helena where she remained for 30 years until her retirement in 1999. During her time working for the city, she loved visiting with so many people who came and went each day. Garnet had very fond memories of her years spent with the city of East Helena and it always had a special place in her heart.
She enjoyed going to ceramics classes with her friends and was involved in many activities with Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church and the VFW. Garnet always kept active and engaged with the youth of the community as a den mother, campfire leader and softball coach. She spent countless hours watching her kids and grandkids participate in numerous sports and school activities.
She was an avid baseball fan and cherished watching her Atlanta Braves play on TV and even traveled to Atlanta to watch the Braves with her Daughter Kathleen and Granddaughter Danielle.
She was a very proud grandma and great grandma and her grandkids brought her great happiness whenever they were around. Garnet treasured her grandchildren more than anything in her later years, always loved their weekend visits and hearing about all their activities. She always made sure they each had a special gift from her every birthday and holiday, and was famous for her homemade potato salad and baked beans.
She is survived by her sister, Marie Moore; her four children and their spouses, Dennis Dietrich, Diane (Ray) Eby, Kathleen (Sam) Havens, and Pat (Carol) Dietrich; her four grandchildren, Danielle (Jason) Schilling, Brett (Amanda) Eby, Joe (Jessica) Havens and Nick Havens; her great-grandchildren, Olivia Eby, Claire and Jack Havens, Keeli and Josh Schilling; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Jack of 46 years; brothers, Steve (Beverly) Petek and Jim (Bessie) Petek; sister, Ellen (Stan) East; brother-in-law, Larry Moore; and sisters-in-law, Francis Nasi, Dee Saulsberry, and Gloria Gargian.
Garnet will be deeply missed and forever present in the hearts of all those she touched with her fun-loving and selfless personality.
A special thanks to Dr. Weiner and to all the nurses in the cancer treatment center and the oncology ward. You took such wonderful care of her and always made her feel special.
A visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be noon Thursday, May 19th Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church with a burial service to follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery. Please join the family for a luncheon to follow at the church. Memorials are suggested to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1110, East Helena, MT 59635, St. Ann’s Cemetery, P.O. Box 525, East Helena, MT 59635, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Anndina & Lynn Halvorsen & family says
Diane, Dennis, Kathleen, Pat and families, I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Garnet. She was one of the most caring and loving people I know. I am so glad that we were able to spend so much time visiting her and your dad when we lived up there and that my boys got to know them so well. She holds a very special place in all of our hearts, and we will miss her very much. We are sending love and prayers to all of you! (Rest in Peace Aunt Garnet XOXO)
Barb Klein says
Aunti Garnet you will be missed so much.You will always have a special pleace in my heart as well as in my famlies hearts.you now are wrapped in the arms of all those we lost befor you.And to all my cousins we love you all very much.
Love you all
Barb, ed and familey
Colleen Reardon Marks says
Dietrich Family: my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your mom was such a sweet lady and I always enjoyed seeing her when back in East Helena.
Dan Morgan says
To Dennis and Diane:
Sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I hope you keep your chins up and remember she had a great and happy life.
I send my best.
Dan
DEBBIE AND DEE SCHRAMM says
WE ARE SORRY TO HEAR THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER. SHE WAS A KIND PERSON AND EVERYONE LOVED HER VERY MUCH. SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. WHEN SHE WOULD SEE YOU SHE WOULD ALWAYS SAY HI. SHE HAD A HEART OF GOLD AND NOBODY CAN REPLACE HER IN YOUR HEARTS, BUT JUST REMEMBER SHE LOVED YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND APPRECIATED ALL YOU DID FOR HER. LOVE DEBBIE(MURGEL) SCHRAMM
Doug Stipcich says
To the Dietrich Family:
>From my family to yours, I would like to convey my G deepest sympathy to all of you at this most difficult time. Your mother was a very special person who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time of sorrow.
God Bless you all.
Gayle Morello Casey says
Dennis, Diane, Kathleen, Pat and families.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your mom was a ver wonderful lady. I have lots of good memories of her. She will be greatly miss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless,
Gayle Morello Casey
Glen J Cuchine says
What a wonderful lady; I have many happy memories of your mother. Always a smile and a kind word. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. God be with you.
Jay Reardon says
Dennis,Diane,Kathleen and Pat Sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I always enjoyed the days I worked with your Mom at the City and will always remeberl her as one of those special ladies in our family. Sorry I won’t be able to attend tomorrows service as I will be traveling to Denver.My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Jay
Larriann and Mike Murphy says
Dietrich Family,
Garnet was a wonderful lady that will be greatly missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Larriann and Mike Murphy
Margie Stellmon says
I feel like your mom was part of my family because I care about you so much, Diane. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I’m sure your mom was very proud of what a wonderful person her daughter (daughterssss Kathleen!) had become. <3
Marlene Coyle Longfellow says
Sorry to hear about your mom, I remember good times with her at the VFW events.
Mary Brydich says
I was so sorry to hear about Garnet’s passing. I have so many wonderful memories of her during my life – my early years in Campfire, sewing on all the beads we earned, to visiting Governor Tim Babcock at the Capitol. I enjoyed working with her through church and the VFW Auxiliary and she was always so helpful when I would stop by the city offices. Although she was quiet, she made an impact on what she did for so many in the community. I hope it helps knowing that others care and appreciate what a special person Garnet was.
Mary Jean (Rigler) DeGroat says
Dear Marie and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Garnet’s death. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Pam Brown says
Diane & Family ~
We are so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I know it is a very difficult time for you, but may God help heal your hearts.
May God Bless You All,
Pam, Charlie & John Brown
Helena, MT
Rhonda Strainer says
To Garnet’s Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m glad I got to see and visit with Garnet on April 9th at Crystal’s birthday party. No matter how long in between our visits she always had a smile and was interested in whatever was going on in my life.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. You have my deepest sympathy at this very sad time.
Rhonda
Sandi Coyle Benson says
I am so sorry to hear of Garnet’s passing. She was a very well liked person who always had a smile and kind word. May the days ahead bring you all peace and understanding. “God Bless”