Glenda Jo Truesdell
On the evening of March 11, 2022, Glenda passed away at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT as a result of a heart attack. She was surrounded by family during the time of her passing. She was 65 years old.
Glenda was born in Fargo, ND on September 15, 1956. She was the third daughter of Kenneth and Mary Brock. She was raised in Page, ND until her family moved to Fort Ransom, ND in 1962.
Starting in childhood, Glenda always enjoyed having fun, being with her people and taking on new adventures. From stories of playing pranks on her sisters at the farm in Fort Ransom to traveling all over the country to see the people she loved, she had a full and fun life.
After high school, she continued her education attending Jamestown College. She met the love of her life, Kenneth Truesdell when she was working as a waitress at the Lisbon Stake Out.
Ken and Glenda moved their family from North Dakota to Montana where they raised their three children, Aaron, Daniel, and Ann. It was the joy of her life to be a mother, she was so proud of her children and always made sure they knew how much she loved them.
As her family grew with her daughter-in-law, Brandi, three grandchildren, MaKenzie, Madelyne and Parker, and son-in-law, Mark, her love just expanded. She loved to take care of people and there are not three humans that she loved more than her grandchildren.
She loved being a sister to all of her siblings. She could tell stories for days about growing up on the farm with her sisters. Being an aunt was the greatest gift she received from any of her siblings. Some of her favorite memories in her retirement was visiting her brother Calvin in Arizona and traveling with him to Hawaii and Alaska.
Glenda was a teacher through and through, it wasn’t just her chosen occupation but how she lived her life. She received her bachelor’s degree from Valley City College and then went on to complete her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
She taught Special Education and was extremely passionate about serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She finished her professional education in 2014 when she received her certification as a Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA), and she finished her career as a business owner serving individuals with disabilities through her consulting services.
During her career as a teacher, she served Townsend Public Schools, White Sulphur, and Helena Public Schools. She loved working at Ray Bjork Preschool and developing the first Functional Living Skills classroom in the Helena School District. She also ran an at-home preschool and Head Start for a period of time. Filling her house with children was a dream for her.
She served as an advocate for individuals with disabilities through her work in the classroom and in meeting rooms and at the legislature by helping pass a bill to establish BCBAs in Montana.
She was a lifelong learner as she pursued higher education but even in her retirement, she continued to explore new hobbies and learn new things, her latest talents have been photography and painting.
She also loved quilting, gardening, playing piano, camping, fly fishing, playing board and card games, traveling to visit family, friends, and National Parks, especially Yellowstone National Park and being around people that she loved. Camping with her chosen family of friends was absolutely one of her favorite activities. If you have been lucky enough to have been blessed with a Glenda Quilt, we hope your hand-stitched piece of love brings you comfort as we grieve the loss of a beautiful woman.
Glenda was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth, and Mary Brock.
Glenda is survived by her husband, Ken Truesdell, her sons, Aaron Truesdell and Daniel Truesdell (Brandi Truesdell – wife), and daughter, Ann Truesdell (Mark Lauburg – husband); her sisters, Angela Guttormson, Roxanne Rickman, and Tracy Blotsky; her brother, Calvin Brock; her grandchildren, MaKenzie, Madelyne and Parker Truesdell; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.
Memorials can be made in her name to Autism Speaks, a nonprofit committed to serving individuals with Autism. Donations can be made at https://www.autismspeaks.org/about-us?form=donate. Glenda will be buried near her parents at Deep Creek Cemetery in Townsend, MT.
The family would like to share our deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support from those that were able to know Glenda. We also thank the East Valley Fire Department and amazing medical staff at St. Peter’s Hospital, they worked tirelessly during Glenda’s final moments, supported her as she stepped forward in faith to her next journey and took care of her family with compassion through all of it.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 18th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave in Helena. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19th at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 301 N. Cherry St. in Townsend. Burial will follow the service at the Deep Creek Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday March 18, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1 p.m.
Saturday March 19, 2022
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
301 N. Cherry Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday March 19, 2022
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the Burial
Saturday March 19, 2022
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
301 N. Cherry St.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday March 18, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1 p.m.
Saturday March 19, 2022
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
301 N. Cherry Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday March 19, 2022
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the Burial
Saturday March 19, 2022
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
301 N. Cherry St.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Share
Sandy & Tim Tiede says
So sorry for your loss… She was a special person for sure and will.be missed by all who knew her…
Cathy Beck Jenkins says
I’m so very sorry for your loss of such a beautiful woman. I know She was the most important family member and mentor to all of you. Ken, you know I’m wrapping you in hugs with an abundance of tears. May your hearts be filled with healing in the coming days, weeks and months. My sincere condolences.
MARTA ERNST says
I am deeply saddened by Glenda’s passing. Glenda shared her love for you (her family) with me and you have my sincerest sympathy. Glenda was a colleague and friend in the Helena school district. She was invaluable as a resource for me as a special educator. Glenda was always helpful, but she also had a keen mind and would listen to what you were saying as well as what you were not saying. May her spirit live on in all of you. Glenda was a special person with a gift of understanding children.
Rick and Deb Gillund says
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cherish all the wonderful memories of a very special person!
Scott and Connie Sorby says
Kenny and family, Angela, Roxanne, Tracy and families, we are so sorry for your loss.Glenda was a wonderful life long friend. We had lots of great times! She will be missed by everyone who knew her. God Bless all of you!! RIP Glenda, I’m so glad we spent time together last summer.
Susan Froemke says
Such a kind & caring person. Was proud to have her as a classmate. Blessed be the memory.
Laurie Nugent says
Such fond memories of Glenda from Kelsey’s teacher at Cherry St Preschool and kindercare, teaching at Townsend Elementary, attending SVLC and best of all……our morning walking group of many, many years! Glenda is a lovely memory❤️❤️!
Dawn Berg Macdonald says
Kenny and family
I am so very sorry for your loss. She will be missed by many. So glad I got to see her last summer. She hadn’t changed at all. Thoughts and prayers for the family.
Mary Foster says
Glenda made a difference in so many lives. She taught preschool to all of my children, and they all loved her dearly. She taught many years with me in Townsend where I made many fond and funny memories with her. I know she loved her family so much. What an incredible life she lived, and she truly made the world a better place!
Shari toney says
God Bless to her husband and children, grandbabies . Great teacher .
Audrey Kelly says
Sending our prayers to the family during this sad time. Tracy, our hearts are breaking for you on the loss of your sister. Take care. Love u, Audrey and Tim
Sherry Scoffield says
Deepest condolences to Glenda’s family. She had a life full of purpose and I always enjoyed our visits.
Jim Benish says
My condolences to Glenda’s family! She was an amazing teacher and I was privileged to work with her at Ray Bjork Preschool. Her sense of humor was felt by students and staff, and her teaching skills helped many students. I am sorry for your loss!
Stefanie Otto-Hitt says
Our deepest condolences to Glenda’s family. She was such a source of strength and wisdom for the families within our community and her loss will be felt deeply by many. We are so very grateful to have known and worked closely with Glenda and her tireless dedication to children with Autism was an inspiration. May her passion and hard work live on in the families she touched and the people she mentored.
Michael G Anderson says
Condolences to Glenda’s family and friends. We were neighbors growing up in Fort Ransom. Glenda was several years younger so we didn’t spend much time together, but I’m very impressed by the story of her life and all the good things she did for her family and community. Rest in Peace.