Helen Marie Ryan Rambo Christensen, age 74, passed away on April 27, 2018 after a battle with breast cancer.
Helen was born in Deer Lodge, Montana, on March 18, 1944 to Margaret “Peg” Breslin and Pat Ryan. Her first home was the Ryan family ranch near Race Track, later moving into Deer Lodge where she attended St. Mary’s Academy. The family ranched in Townsend, Twin Bridges, and Sheridan where Helen graduated from high school in 1962. She attended Carroll College majoring in Elementary Education and making many life-long friends. Her passion was politics, so the Carroll Young Democrats provided opportunities through which she met Sen Ted Kennedy, saw President Lyndon Johnson, Sen Mike Mansfield and many others. Helen also loved music and sang in the Carrolleers where she and talented soloist, Art Rambo, first met.
After graduating from Carroll in 1966, Helen moved to Anchorage, AK where she taught school while Art entered the University of Notre Dame to complete a degree in Chemical Engineering. In 1967, she and Art were married in Dillon, MT and moved to South Bend, IN where Helen taught in an ungraded classroom at Alexis Coquillard Public School. The next spring, Art was offered a contract with Texaco, Inc. and they moved to Craig, CO where, two days after arriving, their daughter, Kerry Lynn was born. In August, Art was drafted into the service and the little family moved to Libby, MT to be near Art’s parents. Helen taught at Asa Wood Jr High School until she was able to join Art at Ft Sill, OK in February 1969. Art shipped out to Vietnam in August and Helen moved to be near her family in Dillon where their second daughter, Amy Denise, was born in September. Art was reported killed in An Loc, South Vietnam in November 1969.
Helen returned to school, completed her MEd at Western Montana College and taught third grade at Parkview Elementary. She met LT George “Chris” Christensen on a blind date and fell for the tall, funny, wonderful guy who loved her girls and they were married in 1973. They moved to Helena where Chris was employed by the State of Montana and Helen resumed her political activism. Their daughter, Molly Jean, was born in 1975 and son, Reid Ryan, joined the family in 1976.
She worked for Congressman Pat Williams from 1980 to 1993 as a field representative and campaign political director. She was employed as Writer-Researcher by the Montana AFL-CIO when she and Sheena Wilson began making plans to start their own business. They recruited Katrina Martin to join them and in 1996, the three partners opened Ryan and Maclean Tea Room, a successful restaurant and gift shop in downtown Helena. They sold the business in 2003.
Subsequently, Helen worked for the Institute for Money in State Politics, then the Office of Public Instruction until her retirement in 2007.
She and Chris loved to travel, especially with friends, and visited Russia, Eastern Europe, Spain, Italy, Greece, England, Scotland and made repeated trips to Ireland where Helen visited her cousin, Evelyn Truesdale McMahon, in County Antrim and her genealogical search found family in County Limerick. Returning home, Helen continued extensive internet research on the Ryan, Martin, O’Rourke and Breslin families.
she loved quilting and sewing Halloween costumes, mending beloved stuffed animals and fulfilling miscellaneous sewing requests for her eleven grandchildren. She and Chris were active supporters of every activity in which their grandchildren participated – whether it was soccer, piano, art, skiing, lacrosse, football, basketball, baseball or school plays. Helen loved nothing more than having the entire family 19 strong at the family cabin near Seeley Lake.
A proud liberal, Helen was active in Democratic Party politics and many social justice causes. She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley parish and was a board member of both the Helena Education Foundation and the Good Samaritan Ministries and Thrift Store.
She is survived by her husband, her children – Kerry Strike, Billings; Amy (Mark Stiffler) Christensen, Helena; Molly Croft, Fleming Island, FL; and Reid (Stephanie) Christensen, Helena. Grandchildren – Spencer, Will and Kate Strike; Abby, Ellie and Jane Stiffler; Ryan, Lily and Anna Croft; Cole and Max Christensen; Sister, Kathryn Pugh; sisters-in-law Mary Smith, Kathleen (John) Bache and Patty Rambo; brother-in-law Dan (Kathy McFarland) Rambo and many nieces and nephews, as well as special adopted family Brad (Janay) Murphy, Colin (Linden), Devin and Brynn Murphy; Misha (Victoria) and Masha Pryadilnikov.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Art Rambo, her parents, Pat and Peg Ryan and her sister, Peggy Jo Salvo.
Memorials may be sent to the Montana Democratic Party, the Helena Education Foundation or the Art Rambo World Peace Scholarship Fund at Carroll College.
There will be a Vigil on Tuesday, May 1st at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Rd at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, May 2 at Our Lady of the Valley. Please visit below to leave a comment with condolences or share a memory of Helen.
The Garritys says
Amy, Mark and family. We’re so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Love Kim, Devin and Cole
Nan LeFebvre says
Chris and Family,
I am so, so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful soul. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Chris, Stay strong. Even though your heart will always ache, you will get through this.
Love, Nan
The McGraws says
Reid, Stephanie and family..please know we are thinking of you at this time and are extending our sincere sympathy. I remember well your mom’s leadership and organizational abilities when she chaired the Senior All Night Graduation Party back in the day when you and Kent were graduating. May your many memories bring you peace.
Kathleen Broussard says
Coach Christensen and family,
We are so very sorry about your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. She was a very sweet lady.
Keith, Kathleen, and Kory Broussard
John & Cherie Dahl says
Chris and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time in your life with the passing of Helen ?
Allan Stricker says
Chris, Mark, and Amy, So sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. Always remember the good times. My best wishes and prayers are with you.
AnnieB says
Saying goodbye to someone we love is heartbreaking. But, may you find comfort in Jesus’ promise at John 5:28 and 29 when we will once again welcome them back.
marilyn freely says
Chris and family….
I Believe that Friends are
Quiet Angels Who
Lift Us to our Feet
When our Wings
Have trouble Remembering
How To Fly
Anonymous
Tough days ahead But it does get better when you remember Helen with a happy thought. She was indeed a wonderful lady!
marilyn greely
marilyn greely says
Helen was a wonderful women…always with a smile. I remember her at every democratic function we attended.
Graceful,smart ‘go-getter’ lady! We will all miss her…but not forget her!
John P Martinez says
Can your office handle equipment sale contract and closing? John
John P Martinez
105 S 8th St Brooklyn, NY 11211
318.596.1527