Heather Nichol Kopczuk
On the morning of May 20, 2025, Heather passed away after an 18-month battle with cancer. She was 48 years old.
Heather was born in Crystal City, Missouri on December 17, 1976. She was the fourth of six children, and the first of two daughters to Frank and Janet Bodlovic. Heather grew up in Potomac, MT, after her family moved there from Missouri when she was three years old. Her childhood days were spent playing in the woods with her siblings, looking for wildflowers, and swimming in the Blackfoot river. As she grew older, Heather loved singing in her high school’s choir and visiting her grandparents back home in Missouri. Later she attended the University of Montana. By chance, or perhaps providence, she met Adam when the two were assigned seats next to each other on an airplane the summer after her freshman year of college. Adam was, of course, the last passenger to board the flight. Despite running in at the last possible moment, he offered her his window seat ticket, and their relationship was born. They graduated from UM in 1999 and were married in 2000.
The Kopczuk family moved to Helena in 2003 and became part of the Cathedral parish, unaware at that time how much the community would truly become their home in the years ahead. Heather discovered her love for homeschooling not long after. She always said the pride and purpose of her life was raising, educating, and shaping the character of her four children. Heather’s vocation was being a wife and mother. Her time was spent homeschooling the children for most (or all) of their upbringing, driving them to and from their extracurricular activities, and being the backbone of the home. She was hardly known for doing anything that did not involve her family or her faith in some capacity, though she found time to decompress at the gym or on the trails. Never one to rest on laurels, Heather would talk often of finding ways to continue her vocation to serve her family while sharing the Gospel by example and by word to everyone she encountered.
Heather is survived by her loving husband, Adam, and their four children, Isaiah, Elaina, Lukas, and Scarlett. Elaina and her husband, Sam, are parents to Heather’s beloved granddaughter, Marilyn, who loved picking little flower bouquets with her “Gammy.” Heather fought hard to be here for the arrival of her second granddaughter, Audra Nichol, who will be born any day. Audra Nichol is named after her Gammy, who assuredly is praying for her from Heaven.
The Kopczuk family would like to extend a sincere thank-you to the many wonderful families, friends, members of the Helena community, people across the country, and those around the world who poured out their prayers, love, and support for Heather during her journey. We especially thank the staff of St. Peter’s Health for their kindness, love, dedication, and professionalism while she was in their care. You are all such a blessing.
Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a Vigil to take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing Street. Burial will follow the Mass at Resurrection Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral.
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Following the Funeral Mass
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Following the Funeral Mass
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
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Kenneth Bollwerk says
Rest in peace in the arms of our Lord Heather and God Bless your family and friends
My sincere sympathies
Christi Halls Robinson says
Devastated to hear of Heather’s health battle and passing. She was such an awesome friend to me in high school, college, and beyond. I’ll forever cherish the many memories that we made together. She had a gorgeous smile and an infectious laugh that I will never forget. I always admired how much she loved her children and being a mom.
Wishing you all peace and comfort in this difficult time. I’m so very sorry for your deep loss.
Dear Heather,
Rest in peace, old friend. Thank you for everything. As Tom Petty said, “You belong among the wild flowers…Far away from your trouble and worries. You belong somewhere you feel free.”
With love,
Christi (Richard)