Helen Marie (Lessar) Brown went to be with her Lord and the love of her life, Curtis Brown, on February 14, 2021, Valentine’s Day, just as one of her grandsons predicted.
Helen was born on April 4, 1928 to Frank and Pauline (Ambro) Lessar in East Helena, Montana, joining an older brother, Frank. Her father remarried after the untimely death of her mother, and Helen gained two more siblings, Agnes and John Lessar. By the age of 8 years, Helen had lost both of her parents, and was raised by other relatives throughout her childhood. Her special guardian angel was her Uncle John Lessar, who was always there for her, and of whom she always spoke very fondly.
Helen became very independent early in her life and was always willing to work hard at anything she did. With the support of her Uncle John, Helen was enrolled in a business school and lived at the Sienna Club, a home run by nuns. She became very adept at typing and shorthand – a skill she used daily throughout her life. Her secretarial and organizational skills netted her positions with the Montana State Legislature, the IRS, Smedal & Maurer Law firm in Ames, Iowa, the Economics Dept. at Iowa State University, and eventually typing thesis papers for ISU grad students.
Sometime in 1946 she met Curtis Brown, who became the love of her life. They were married on May 1, 1947. Early in their marriage they travelled with Curt’s parents and their racing horses as they moved around the horse-racing circuit. Helen loved animals and not only cared for the horses, but brought home to their trailer a litter of kittens one night, keeping the sickest of them, Stinky, to raise. Many more pets were to follow: Sam, Rusty, Dickens, and finally, Paco, all loved and spoiled. Helen and Curt joyfully celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May 1997 with family and many friends. Curtis passed away in August 1997, leaving Helen and family missing him greatly.
In 1959, the family moved to College Park, Maryland for a year, where Curtis received special training for his new position as a microbiologist for the National Animal Disease Lab in Ames, Iowa. The Browns spent every weekend in the Washington, D.C. area, making sure their girls learned America’s history.
Moving to Ames, Iowa in 1960, Helen worked for the Smedal & Maurer Law firm as head secretary; then as secretary for Karl Fox, head of the Economics department at Iowa State University. After retiring, but not ready to completely stop working, Helen typed thesis for grad students from ISU.
In 1972, Helen and Curt moved back to Helena, where they became owners of Gertie’s Drive-In, a long- established restaurant in the community. Still applying her organizational skills, Helen became the accountant, order buyer, remodel planner, and just overall “boss” of Gertie’s until its’ closing in ____.
During her life, Helen was full of energy, very creative, and always ready to hear a joke or play one on some unsuspecting person. Many will bear witness to wonderful costumes worn by Helen as she made appearances unannounced to:
The Montana Legislature (in session) as a constituent from up north
The IRS as “Charlie’s Aunt Helen”
The Economics Dept. at Iowa State University as a potential employee
(Note: With the aid of a friendly legislator, Helen made a narrow escape from the Sargent-at-Arms during that session!!)
Many customers and employees at Gertie’s will attest to her seasonal “hair dyes”—red & green at Christmas, black & orange at Halloween, pink, purple, & yellow at Easter, etc., etc. She loved celebrating the holidays in whatever way she could. Helen loved to entertain. She loved every part…from the decorating, to the cooking, to the gathering of people. Our mother always attempted to include everyone in the fun; she didn’t like to see someone alone. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and often resulted in 5 different Christmas trees all beautifully decorated. Our home was so festive during the holiday season.
Her grandkids have many memories about Grandma, but one of the favorites was when Helen turned into the “Cookie Monster”. They would go hide from her and she would search them out, making this scary voice the whole time she was searching. They begged her to do it again and again.
Helen was very proud of her Slovenian descent, and “spoke the language” whenever and with whoever she could. But—her big love was polka music and polka festivals, many of which she attended regularly, mostly in Rock Springs, Wyoming. She always took her “ugly lady” mask with her and donned it sometime during the festival, either scaring someone or making someone laugh. The “ugly lady” mask was always in Helen’s purse, and used just about anywhere she went.
We greatly miss our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was one of a kind in our minds, and we’re certain she’s using that love of life she had to keep everyone in heaven on their toes!
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her favorite Uncle John; her husband, Curtis; her brother, Frank; sister, Agnes and brother-in-law, Claude Weaver; sister-in-law, Ann Lessar; and cousin, Mary Pyfer and husband, Clark Pyfer.
Helen is survived by her three daughters, Leanne (Bill) Pellett; Connie (Mike) McCarty; and Sherry Susen; six grandchildren, Bret (Shelly) Pellett, Kyle (Brandy) Pellett & Jay (Trish) Pellett, Jon McCarty & Angela Neff, and Kelly Susen and special friend, Steve Kemler; nine great-grandchildren and one great, great-grandchild; and her brother John Lessar.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon, Friday, June 25, at Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 120 W. Riggs in East Helena.
Memorials may be directed to: Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena, Mt., Wild About Cats Rescue & Sanctuary in Clancy, Mt. or Lewis & Clark County Humane Society in Helena, Mt.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Friday June 25, 2021
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Friday June 25, 2021
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Dave Anderson says
Connie,Mike and sisters and families,
I am saddened to see of Helen’s passing. I always enjoyed being in her company, whether at home or the Suds Hut. She had a great sense of humor and i always enjoyed giving each other a bad time. My condolences and thoughts are with all of you.
Dave Anderson says
Connie,Mike and your sisters and families,
I am saddened to see of Helen’s passing. I always enjoyed time spent with her, whether at home or at the Suds Hut. She had a great sense of humor and we enjoyed giving each other a bad time. My condolences and thoughts are with each of you.
Rick & Beth Cottingham says
Helen and Ruth Helen were neighbors for many years when they lived on Jackson St. We enjoyed Helens refreshing views on life and current events. She shared stories of she and Angus early years on the homestead. Later Helen moved out on 9th Ave. and we visited at the stores from time to time. She was a great gal, had lots to share on life and times and will be missed. Blessings to her family, you’re in our prayers. Rick & Beth Cottingham
Rick Bartos says
Dear Family
I was saddened to hear from Leanne about your Mom’s passing. I celebrate knowing she is in the loving embrace of our Lord and reunited with Curtis. What a beautiful person. They respected each other and demonstrated true marriage commitment. When I met with Helen it was 25 percent of time on business and 75 per cent on family, all three daughters, and especially sons in law, Grandma Brown and her cherished grandkids who could do no wrong.
When Helen, Dorothy O’FALLON and my Mom got together, there was story telling, laughter and genuine fun. I learned about Saint Anns School and practically all of East Helena. True devotion to family, to their faith and hometown East Helena. Young high school kids and students from Carroll College will instantly recall the great food at Gerties but more importantly for college kids it was a piece of home.
Helen reminds me of my Aunt Mira, always fun. One time Mom myself, Randy was invited for dinner at you Moms house. Never forgetting the parish priest, after Mass she invited Father Tom O’DONNELL on the church stairs. It was said Father O’DONNELL responded to the invite, you know Helen I am single and people may talk. Helen in your innocent way responded, thats OK Father you can bring your girl friend. Such instant great humor. Father Tom never missed a meal.
I know what a sudden emptiness feels like at a loss of dedicated parents. A generation of good people who had a tough early life but worked hard, cherished their loved ones and maintained their unwavering faith. I thank God for having the opportunity to have known your Mom and Dad and the Brown family. You remain in my prayers.
Rick Pyfer says
Dear Family of Helen (Lesar) Brown, I was saddened to see the notice that Helen had passed away on Valentine’s Day. I second everything Rick Bartos so eloquently said above. Helen and my mom, Mary (Sasek) Pyfer were cousins. My grandmother was Mary Lesar. At one point in early childhood Helen lived with my mom and grandparents cementing further their lifelong friendship and relationship. My parents and Curt and Helen enjoyed outings together golfing and do other socializing. I personally was a guest with my mom to several of Helen’s incredibly delicious and supremely hosted dinner parties. She would always invite Father Tom O’Donnell to join as he lived across the street. When I learned Helen had been moved to Beehive I arranged to play my accordion outside her window during the Covid times. I had told her in a long conversation the heartbreaking news that her friend my mom had passed away on March 22 of 2020, shortly after the Covid l9 lockdown at Apple Cooney. She always called mom “Cous” and the two shared a strong personal family bond as single Slovenian children during their early life. Like Rick Bartos said, Helen’s sense of humor was sharp and unbridled. I’m sure many customers of Gerties have stories to tell about her quick wit and fun loving manor. Although the deep sense of grief in your loss is going to be with you for a long time please know that friends and family care and are praying for your comfort and peace at this difficult time. God bless Helen and God bless all of you , her family. The eternal kingdom on the “other side” is now hers where love, joy, painless happiness and reunion with loved ones is her great reward. Rick Pyfer, on behalf of brothers Bob and Bill and the entire Lesar family.
Bill Dolan says
To the Helen Brown family, my sincere condolences on Helen’s passing. Helen and Curt hired me to paint their home’s interior and exterior in “82 and “83. As a struggling college student, the money was a life saver. Helen made the job a blast. She regularly supplied me with Gertie Burgers and all the humor one could stand. My brother Kevin and I would frequent Gerties for ” all white turkey on wheat” and have a great time with Helen. Man, that woman had presence! She was always proud of her East Helena roots as Rick Pyfer alluded to. It truly saddens me when we lose members of the greatest generation. All we can do is try and emulate them as best we can..Rest in peace, Helen. Your memory will stay with me forever. Bill Dolan
Rosemarie Tamol says
I had the pleasure of working at Gertie’s four years. 1987-1991. Mike and Connie
( Brown ) McCarty and I share many memories. Curt was so funny, as was Helen. I’m joyful knowing Helen is reunited with Curt, and on Valentine’s Day too. 💞
Patti Eby says
My sincere condolences to Helen’s family. My mom (Dorothy O’Fallon) was her good friend and the entire family was
was so close to my parents. I remember how Helen always made us laugh and had such a great personality! I never knew that much about her life until I read the obituary that Iris Maness sent me from the Helena paper. She lived quite a life and Gerties always had the best hamburgers. I know you miss her terribly but she is now at peace with Curt and other loved ones. I lost my mom in March 2019 and miss her everyday. I hope they are up there laughing with the angels. Hugs to all of you. Patti Eby