Helen was born June 24, 1924, in the town of Tuscor, MT. She was born at home with the help of a neighbor lady and was the youngest child of Noble and Mary Lee LaRue. Helen had two older brothers, Harold and Donald, who loved to tease her and call her favorite doll “Crow Toes.” Helen cried, the boys laughed, and she knew they loved her enough to tease her, even tho she was just “the little sister.“ When Helen was six, the family home burned so there are no baby pictures of her. The family moved to Hot Springs, where Helen graduated from high school in 1942. During this time, she met a young man who was later to become her husband. One story says they met at the swimming pool, one says at a dance….
Helen went to the University of Montana, then known as Montana State, and majored in pharmacy. She was an active member of Tri Delta Sorority. During this time, Cliff attended school in Seattle but hitchhiked home many a weekend to visit his new love. Helen graduated from Pharmacy School, a rare feat for a woman at that time. Graduation was held in the afternoon, and Helen and Cliff were married that evening at the Tri Delta house.
The newlyweds settled in Missoula, where Cliff worked for the Telephone Company and Helen maintained the family home, which included the first of many wire hair fox terriers and daughters Kathy and Nancy. In 1954, they transferred to Helena and a third daughter Denae joined the family. Helen did some relief pharmacy work, one of a few female pharmacists in Helena at the time. In 1963 and 1964, Cliff was transferred to Denver and Cheyenne, and in 1965, the family returned to Helena. During this time, Helen and Cliff were active with a friend’s supper club, playing bridge, gourmet cooking, gardening, traveling, and enjoying jazz groups. Helen was also busy with Tri Deltas alum group and teaching Sunday School.
As the daughters left home, Helen worked at Reynolds Drugs on a part-time basis and was on call for other pharmacies. When Cliff retired from Mountain Bell, she assisted him in opening the Cason Art Gallery on the downtown walking mall in Helena. Cliff and Helen traveled the world, attended jazz festivals, and enjoyed stays at bed and breakfasts, where they made new friends. One of Helen’s favorites was a trip to England for her 70th birthday, a surprise inspired by her children and husband.
Helen continued to be a homemaker after retiring from active pharmacy work. She took pride in the dream home they built in 1968 and enjoyed gardening, which included beautiful roses and unusual trees. Lots of bridge playing, travel, involvement with the local jazz society, interest in politics, doing jigsaw puzzles, and reading were enjoyed during this time. The entire family also welcomed and said sad goodbyes to Bounce, Ruffles, Keely, and Teddi, all wire hair terriers of distinct and charming personalities. Also a source of joy and pride was the arrival of grandchildren: daughter Kathy and husband Allen shared Tara, Kristen, and Mark; and daughter Denae and husband Morris added two sons, Tyler and Eric. Daughter Nancy and husband Mike shared “grand bird” Sterling and later Riley, while owning the Fox Hollow Bed and Breakfast in Bozeman, where Helen and Cliff were frequent guests and recipients of gourmet meals and enjoyed playing a new card game, Tic, which became a family favorite.
An added bonus to the later years were the great grands: Tara and Corey have two daughters, Jacey and Haley, and Kristen and Levi have son Austin and daughter Kya. All four live in Helena and their visits were treasured by their great grandparents. The careers of the granddaughters and spouses, as well as the grandsons, were a source of pride and interest for them.
Although both enjoyed great health for many years, age began to take a toll, and with reluctance, their home was sold so that Cliff and Helen could move to Hunters Pointe, a retirement community in Helena. They enjoyed a very happy year there, making many new friends once again.
Despite a series of falls, a flare-up of cancer, and Cliff’s dementia, Helen held fast to her faith, strength, and determined attitude to handle it all. Her adherence to “doing the done thing” and being a kind, helpful friend made the transition to Hunters a good move. She remained in daily contact with her daughters and they shared many laughs together, believing laughter is very good medicine.
Helen had a fun sense of humor and could be quite competitive when playing games. She was also a humble, gentle soul, with many gifts of love, grace, and caring. She made the world a better place by her presence. Her questions are being answered. She is peaceful. We love you, Mom!
Rose Crocker says
Cliff and family I am so sorry to read of Helen’s passing. I know how difficult it is to lose someone you love. Helen was a beautiful and gracious lady. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Rose Crocker
Val and Bob Raisch says
Kathy and Allen and family, So saddened to read that your beloved mom has passed away. So enjoyed spending time at the church with her and remember the fun evening your folks made for us before our Hawaii trip when we were invited over to see their photos, get pointers, etc. and remember the ocean scene on the wall with the light shining on the waves to get us in the mood. They were a very special couple and we share your sadness. Treasure all your wonderful memories until you are reunited in Heaven someday. Love, Val and Bob Raisch
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
Dear Cliff and the entire Cason Family,
We are saddened at the news of Helen’s passing. What a gracious, fun woman of God! She will surely be missed. We are richer people for having known Helen and her sharing her life with us. Her faith was unshakeable and devotion to her family was unquestionable. Please know that we are thinking of you all at this difficult time and will keep you in our prayers as you say a brief goodbye to Helen, knowing you’ll all be reunited in God’s loving arms on another day. Our Love and Prayers are with all of you.
Love,
Tom and Judy
Truxton and Shelby, Holly and Beth
Gilda Clancy says
I have had the pleasure of knowing Helen through Chapter O, P.E.O. What a wonderful person I got to know! Always smiling and positive and she was truly a “shining star” in our organization. She will be missed by us all.
Tonna and Joe Strasko says
We are thinking about you Kathy, Allen, Cliff. Our prayers are with you all.
Butch and Pearle Plowman says
Please accept our sincere sympathy in the loss of one so dear. Helen was a special lady and left a legacy of love, and grace.
Butch and Pearle
Wanda Weston-Hooper says
I met Helen at a quilting class (I never did finish the project) and later we met again at the Jazz festivals. I already know Cliff from the telephone days. I always appreciated how welcome they both could make me feel so very welcome to sit with them. I often think of the fun during the Festivals. Wanda Weston-Hooper
Bonnie Flesch says
Dear Cliff ~ You and Helen were treasured jazz friends back in our Helena jazz festival days. I also have both of you enjoying the bands on some of the videos I have taken at the Glacier Jazz Stampede in Kalispell. Thank you for your faithful support of trad jazz. You were a fun, loving couple. I hope Helen is helping organize a jazz festival in heaven when we get there.
Fondly, Bonnie Flesch
Shirley McKnight says
Kathy and Allen and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your mother. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.