Helen Ann Kittel passed away Sunday July 10, 2016 at St. Peter’s hospital. Helen was born October 7, 1938 to John William Emery and Anna Artina (Gebhardt) Emery in Circle, MT. The family later moved to Stevensville, MT where Helen graduated in 1957. She attended Kinman Business College in Spokane, WA and in 1973 married Ronald Kittel. Although Ron and Helen later divorced they remained friends. To that marriage she had her only child, Steven John Kittel.
Helen went on to have many successful careers in business which included working at 4 B’s restaurant and owning and operating the Log Cabin in Seeley, MT. She most recently retired from a 35 year career with the State of Montana, working in the Governor’s Office of Budget Program and Planning. Helen was very proud of her service to the State of Montana as a public employee.
She was known among her family and friends for her exceptional cooking and always loved to put on a big spread for social events and family gatherings. On any given Saturday you could find her at the local Farmer’s Market selling her latest creation of Kittel’s Jams and Jellies. Helen was an avid cribbage player and was known for “skunking” her opponents and won many a cribbage tournament.
There was nothing that brought her greater joy than her son Steven J. Kittel and her grandson Jared D. Kittel. Helen is survived by her son and grandson, both of Helena; step-son David (Ellen) Kittel (Victor, MT); step-daughter Debbie (Scott) Roland (Branson, MI); brothers and sisters-in-law Kenneth(Carol) Emery (Victor, MT); Ross(Carol) Emery (Clarkston, WA); sister Loretta Amos (Missoula, MT) and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anna Emery and Ronald Kittel.
A service celebrating Helen’s life will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 16th in the social hall at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Memorial donations in Helen’s name may be made to St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday July 16, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday July 16, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Gale Kramlick says
So sad to hear of Helen’s passing. Over the years we bought many jars of Helen’s jellies and jams. They were the only ones our grandsons would eat. I also knew Helena from her years working at the State. I always enjoyed visiting with her. So sorry for your loss. She will be missed.
Ken and Freddie Haab says
WE were so sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. We both enjoyed playing crib with her. Our cribbage club will miss Helen not being there. She will truly be missed.
Sioux Roth says
I called Helen the “Silver Fox”–which made her laugh. Helen was very intelligent and could always be counted on to offer sound fiscal advice, for any fiscal question.
Helen was a “can do” kind of person, and I am pleased we crossed paths in life. My condolences to her family.
Janet Stellmon says
I am sad to hear of Helen’s passing. I have many fond memories of her. My mom would take us to the Red Roof Cafe (cribbage hot spot, back in the day) and she would make Mickey Mouse pancakes for my daughter. Her jam was delicious. She was a kind lady with a great sense of humor. I’m sorry for your loss and I’m sorry to see another good one gone. Helen was a good one!
Joe Williams says
HK was far and away one of the most unforgettable people in my life. She had a great sense of humor with a good dose of hot temper served on the side. Not even God could save you if you filled out one her budget turnaround sheets wrong! I think my favorite recollection is when an old drunken cowboy touring the Capitol building stumbled in her office and immediately started flirting with her for the better part of an hour. She acted mad but she wouldn’t let anyone chase him out! He kept patting her hand and calling her Darlin’! We didn’t let her live that down for years. And boy could she cook! My sincere condolences to her family on the loss of an amazing woman. Her work ethic was unmatched, she feared no one, cooked for everyone, and mothered with tough love. God grant her eternal rest.
Tom Gannon says
Jams and jellies were great, but her banana bread she brought to cribbage will never be forgotten.
Mary Jo Murray says
A more generous woman couldn’t be found. When my parents’ house burned to the ground in the late 70’s, Helen brought a literal carload of stuff for them – and she’d never met them. Dishes, silverware, an ironing board, towels – I’ll never forget that.
She was a good friend. I’ll miss her a lot.
Christi Jacobsen says
I will miss Helen. I was blessed to become friends with her when I worked with her in the Governors Budget Office. Over the years I was the recipient of her knowledge and advice (often times unsolicited), good lunches, sense of humor, generosity, and stories of her childhood, cooking, her Son and Grandson, and past Administrations. She made the best pasties! She was One of a Kind for sure and will never be forgotten.
Amy Sassano says
Helen had such a great influence on me. Many times I find myself thinking “what would Helen do” for a variety of situations. She named me Amy “Sassy-ano” and that name has stuck with me for 20 years! She was such a kind (but sometimes cantankerous), caring, and generous person who would give anyone in need the shirt off her back. I shared many cribbage games with her and know I’m a better player for it. She played several jokes on the office with her wigs after her cancer treatment that kept everyone laughing. I also picked many a chokecherry for her in exchange for an appreciated payment of jam and syrup. I will always have the fondest memories of Helen and I wish Steve and Jared and all of HK’s family my sincerest condolences.
Vanessa & Chuck Tolson says
Steve, Jared & family we are so sorry for your loss. Helen was my neighbor at Farmer’s Market for many years & she talked Chuck into joining the Cribbage Club she enjoyed so much & he also enjoys, she was missed when she quit coming to Farmer’s Market & she will be missed at Crib Club.
She was a fantastic cook & baker; customers at Farmer’s Market always commented on how her jams, jellies, breads & cookies were “the best” she was truly missed when she quit selling at Market.
Rest in peace dear Helen, you will be truly be missed.
Carl & Carole Arnold says
Helen was a very interesting conversationalist and often told us very interesting stories about her youth in rural Montana. She loved her son and grandson so very much and showed her love by her actions. She was a generous gift-giver to all. We had not been able to visit with Helen for some time, but we have always loved and missed her. We are very sorry about her passing. We miss you, Helen.
Kori R. Dee says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Saturday Morning at the Farmer’s Market wasn’t quite the same without a stop at Helen’s table. As stated previously – her jams were out of this world. We loved giving them as hostess gifts. Helen is probably already cooking up a batch in heaven! Steve and Kori Dee
bob Moes says
Bob Moes says:
I knew Helena from playing Wist with her at the senior Cnt. She was a fun person and a good card player. My c condolences to the Kittle family.
Connie and Kelly Jerome says
Oh my goodness how shocked and saddened we were to read of Helen’s passing. We have many fond memories of Helen through a variety of things. Helen worked with my husband Kelly when he was a youngster and she often gave him rides home after working late hours at 4B’s – Being blessed by Helen’s jams and jellies was another treasure, and my father and brother knew Helen quite well through playing cribbage with her. She was a gentle, Big hearted woman. She will be greatly missed. Our condolences and prayers to the family.
Jean Schmitz says
My husband worked with Helen for 16 years at the Capital. They spent many lunches playing cribbage. She catered our son’s wedding meal. I always checked in with her at Farmer’s Mk. My son-in-law loved her tart peach jam. She will be missed. She and Doug are probably playing cribbage right now.
Reggie and Kathleen Brewer says
So sorry Helen has left us, but we have great memories of her as a friend, faithful employee, and always up for a game of crib with Reggie. She was one in a million in so many ways…too numerous for us to list here. Our hearts go out to her family in sympathy and caring.