Isabelle Ellen (Rogan) Pistelak passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon June 28th, 2025, with her family at her side.
Issie was born in Helena, MT on August 28, 1934, to John and Emma Rogan. She grew up on their family farm in the Helena Valley, with her parents and five siblings.
She graduated from Cathedral High in 1952. Issie continued her education at the Helena Business College and being an avid adventurer, moved to San Francisco, CA where she graduated from the San Francisco Dental Technician College in 1953. Upon her return to Helena, she worked with Dr. John Madsen, DDS, for many years.
Being no stranger to hard work and true determination, she could accomplish anything she set her mind to.
Issie served as church secretary with SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church Parish Counsel in East Helena and was also their Parish representative on the Tri-Parish board. She taught religious studies in the CCD Program also.
Being well accomplished during her years, she was named “Who’s Who in the West” and “Who’s Who in America”, a charter member of the East Helena Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and was the first female to serve on the East Helena City Council Board and held her position for eight years. While on the council she coordinated the East Helena Senior Citizens Program and the Daily Dinner Club for four years.
She started working for the state of Montana and through hard work and determination, she reached the level of Administrator of the State Department of Commerce until her retirement in 1985. Her position had oversight of the Montana State Milk Board, Department of Business and Regulations, the Montana Nurses Association, and the Professional Licensing Division.
On November 7, 1953, she married Joseph Pistelak of East Helena. They built a home together in East Helena. With Issie acting as the general contractor, she would run the backhoe and assist in any way she could to finish their residence quickly. Later she designed her awesome kitchen addition that made their home complete.
Throughout their marriage, they enjoyed traveling and camping with friends and family and enjoyed their cabin in Lincoln, MT. They each loved gardening and would share their abundance from their labor’s. They also raised their two sons, John and Tony, in East Helena.
Issie was known as, “The Hostess with the Mostest” and would greet everyone with a smile that could light up a room. She would host family, friends, co-workers, state Legislators, and even the Governor of Montana enjoyed her hospitality over the years.
She would host large parties, celebrations, and dinners, all while making it seem effortless. Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were filled with family, food, and fellowship for many, many years. Her large dining room and kitchen tables were overflowing with people. At one point she actually had shifts at the tables to accommodate those she invited or had just stopped by to say hello.
Issie would begin making and baking her delicious Almond Roca, povitica (potica), zucchini and banana bread, and her special fruit cake loaves and would gift them for Christmas presents. Requests for her famous Almond Roca, povitica, and three packs of breads began to come in from all over the country. She finally began taking orders and would start her baking after Thanksgiving dinner. Eventually she was not able to accommodate so many orders and transitioned into just making a few of each to have on hand and share with those who came by for a visit and coffee.
She learned to can vegetables and fruits. You could find her jar room bursting with favorites like her yummy chow-chow, zucchini relish, pickles, green beans, beets, peaches, pears, cherries, and so many more staple goods.
Issie always loved and enjoyed her flower beds, plants, and garden. Each year she would plant pink and white petunias bordering the front yard and in her raised flower beds. She was featured in the Helena IR front page in color with her beautiful petunias.
She eventually scaled back on such a busy schedule as it was time for her to truly retire. She enjoyed embroidering and finished many sets of tea towels she shared with others.
Issie’s sense of humor throughout her life, her experience, and her true grit always made everything better. She and Joe were married for 68 years until his passing in 2022, when she made the decision to relocate to the Beehive Active Retirement Home on her own. She enjoyed the family home atmosphere, her own room, three square meals a day, Bingo, crafts, and the care she received, just to mention a few, throughout her time there.
Isabelle is preceded in death by her parents John and Emma Rogan, her husband Joe Pistelak, brothers Bill (Nell) Rogan and Jack (Lois) Rogan, sisters Marie (Rogan) Hicks and Patricia (Rogan) Wold.
She is survived by her two sons John Pistelak of Lincoln, MT and Tony (Robin) Pistelak of Santee, CA, sister Helen (Rogan) Richards of Austin, TX, four Grandsons; Mike, Jeff, and Chris Pistelak of Great Falls, MT and Nick (Sarah) Ewing – Pistelak of Campo, CA, and three Great-Grandchildren; Great-Grandson Jimmy Pistelak and Great-Granddaughters Katelynn and Juliette Ewing-Pistelak.
We would like to share our sincere thank you to the staff of Beehive Homes during her time she was there, making her feel at home. Our sincere thanks to Mom’s entire hospital care team for their understanding, compassion, and exceptional care given to both mom and her family during her brief stay.
Viewing hours will begin at 11:00 a.m. Monday July 7, 2025, at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena with a funeral Mass scheduled for 12:00 p.m. noon. Burial and Rite of Committal will follow the Mass at St. Ann’s Cemetery in East Helena. A reception will be held in the lower level of the church immediately following the burial.
Service Schedule
Viewing
11:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m.
Monday July 7, 2025
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Monday July 7, 2025
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
East Helena, Montana
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Funeral Mass
Monday July 7, 2025
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena,
Service Schedule
Viewing
11:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m.
Monday July 7, 2025
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W. Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Monday July 7, 2025
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
East Helena, Montana
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Funeral Mass
Monday July 7, 2025
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena,
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Debbie murgel schramm says
I am so sorry for your loss of your mother, she was a sweet lady and well liked. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Mary Lou Garrett says
Sorry for the loss of a great lady.
Scott St. Clair says
Butch and Tony, sorry to hear about Issie. She was definitely one of the old guard leaders of East Helena. Issue and Joe became good friends when I built in the neighborhood. I would consult Issie occasionally when making decisions in the fire department or for the city. She was so willing to help and share her knowledge. Issie RIP my friend.
Diana Graber Hawbaker-Tavary says
Such memories of Joe and Issie, they lived right around the corner from us on Pacific Street.
Glen J Cuchine says
Anyone who grew up or lived in East Helena for any period of time was able to call this fine lady “friend”. Whether you met her on the street, in a store or stopped over for coffee; you felt like you were the most important person in “Issie’s” life. My heart goes out to Issie’s family and legions of friends. Issie and Joe lived in our neighborhood; they on W. Groshell and us on W. Riggs. Additionally I had the pleasure of waiting on Issie as she did her shopping at Charlie Willis’ IGA….of course her shopping took quite a while as Issie ‘held court’ whenever she was in the building…..yes, it was like a visit from a dignitary and Issie was indeed a dignitary. Our world in East Helena was wonderful in large part due to Issie and many others like her. Rest in peace, dear lady, rest in peace.
Marky Ellen Schnur says
My dad, Tom McNulty was executive secretary of the Montana Milk Control Board in the late 50’s/early 60’s. His absolutely favorite “secretary” was Issie! She was on top of everything. He was so thankful to have her on his team. We kids were thrilled to meet her at the office one time–a big event. She was a blessing, for sure.
Doug Stipcich says
John and Tony. I was saddened at learning of the passing of your mother. To say your mom was one of a kind is an understatement. Someone mentioned the old guard of the west side of east Helena and they are getting to be fewer and fewer. She and Joe are now reunited. Try to hold onto the good memories which there are lots. Sorry, but I’m not going to be able to make it down for her services. I’m being a care taker for my wife as she recovers from a major surgery.
Mary Brydich says
Butch and Tony – I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. She was a fine and giving lady. I had the pleasure of working with her at the East Helena VFW Auxiliary and through Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church. Until they stopped, every year she would buy her East Helena VFW Calendar from me to support the cause. My mom, Violet Brydich Betts, just moved to Beehive last week. Mom is 99-1/2 years old. I am very impressed with the facility and Issie’s obit warms my heart that Beehive is such a good place. I am sorry for the loss of your mom. I am sure she is happy in heaven with your dad. Best wishes.
Dave Lewis says
I started working in State Budget Office in 1973. Ozzie handled the budget for her Department and she taught me how to read the state financial reports as I was learning the Budget. Great lady.
Curtis Stanghill says
Tony and family, so sorry to hear this news, prayers for all involved.