On Tuesday afternoon, January 12, 2021, Jane Marie Bird-Tuggle passed away peacefully with her husband, Sonny, at her side.
Jane was born May 11, 1929 to Clarence and Esther Ashley in Port Huron, Michigan. She lived and worked in Detroit, until she moved to Montana. On one of Jane’s trips to Montana, she met a tall cowboy, Laurence Bird, and fell in love. Jane and Laurence were married in Great Falls, Montana, May 20, 1955. They ranched 75 miles south of Chinook, Montana for five years. During this time, their daughter, Laura and son, Jerry were born. Jane and Laurence sold the ranch and moved to Chinook in 1961. They spent the winter in Chinook and in the spring moved to Helena, where Laurence found a job as a carpenter. During their life together in Helena, they built two homes, the last being on Paydirt Drive. Jane worked at Sears during the holiday season for 8 years. Jane and Laurence were snowbirds for 8 years and spent most of their time in Arizona in their 5th wheel with their lifetime friends, Albert and Betty Sanford. As members of the Treasure State Wheelers, they traveled the state of Montana in the summer. Jane lost her first love in January 1998.
After Laurence passed away, Jane stayed in the house on Paydirt Drive. She had many wonderful neighbors who looked after her and some of the neighborhood kids considered Jane their grandmother. Jane loved to go to the Mother Lode and would sit at the machines by the hour. The Mother Lode was her second home for a while, and she thought of the Mother Lode crew as her family.
In 2006, mom met her second love, Felix “Sonny” Tuggle. They were married in October 2007, at St Paul’s Methodist Church in front of family and special friends, Leroy and Fern Holshue. Mom and Sonny did some camping and traveling, especially to the panhandle of Texas, where Felix’s family was from. They especially enjoyed playing cards and spinners with their friends, the Vimpany’s and Holshue’s. Jane always said she was a lucky woman to have had two wonderful men in her life and she loved them both with all her heart.
Jane is proceeded in death, by her first husband (Laurence), her mother and father, two brothers (Dick and Jim), her sister and husband (Kathryn and Joe Husar), brother-in-law and wife (Wendell and Elsie Bird), brother-in-law (Ronald Bird) and sister-in-law (Bernadine Bird). Jane is survived by her husband (Felix) of Helena, her daughter and husband, (Laura and Albert Calkin), son (Jerry) of Helena, stepdaughter and husband (Erin and Marty Gast) of Whitehall, stepson and wife (Ross and Melanie Tuggle) of Scobey, special niece (Peggy Allderdice) of Loma, as well as a beloved cousin, (Barbara Gilbert) of Michigan, numerous nephews, nieces, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many dear friends.
The family would like to thank the nurses of St Peters Health for their tender care of mom while she was in the hospital. We would also like to thank the West Helena Fire Department for their care and quick response.
Per Jane’s wishes, there will not be a service. She has been cremated and will be buried next to Laurence in the spring at the Alice Nash Memorial Cemetery south of Chinook.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Wilda & Bill McGraw says
Best neighbor ever! We adore her, and will miss her.
Our deepest sympathy to Sonny, Laura and Al.
Clint& Jena Anderson says
She was loved by all, never had a bad thing to say. Always brought a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. Will miss you Janey!! Clint & Jena
Terry w Bass says
Ross sorry for loss. God Bless. TB
Nickie and Eric Eck says
Laura. My goodness she was like my second mom. Oh the memories. Remember the chipmunk eating her curtains in the dining room of the North Montana house. God bless you and Jerry. Love to you. Nickie and Eric
Diane says
To Jan’s family.
So sorry to learn that Jane passed away. I saw her often at the Motherload casino. Such a nice lady with a wicked sense of humor. My deepest sympathy. Diane Pedersen
Greg Bovee says
Laura , it’s been a few years since my last visit with your mother…always enjoyed each visit and loved her straight forward no nonsense opinion of going ons…just a very fine lady. Thoughts and prayers Greg Bovee
Maradell Lafrance says
Maradell (Bird) lafrance…I was married to Wendel Bird..the older brother of Laurence..when Wendel passed in1984 we drifted apart..but we will all spend our forever in the most peaceful quiet,beautiful place I could ever think of..Alice Nash cemetery, on the “bench”, seems like you are on top of the world..Beautiful..quiet..peaceful..how could you not “rest in peace” in all that splendor..
,
Janet Riis says
I am so sorry for your loss. Jane was a friend of my Mom, Dorothy Riis. My special memory of Jane was the Winnie the Pooh bear she gave me when my parents were going through their divorce. A very special lady! May memories keep her close to your heart!
Janet Riis
Debby says
Your mother was a breath of fresh air. She kept us laughing at the salon. I have a feeling she will give the Angels a run for their wings. I am so very sorry for your loss. She will be missed by all who knew her. God bless your family.
Carol Clark says
Absolutely one of my favorite people! Her genuine warmth and sense of humor always brought a smile to my face. The world will have less flavor and spice with her absence. Too many wonderful memories! May the family enjoy all of those memories , and the comfort of faith, family and friends.
Mary Ellen McDonald says
So sorry to hear Jane has left this world. She was a wonderful person and neighbor. Even though we haven’t had the opportunity to see her often, she will be missed but never forgotten. My sympathy to the family.
Joanie Werner Mathis says
I was Jane’s banker for years at Mountain West Bank, but more of a friend with her sitting at my desk. We talked often of Laurence and then if she should marry Felix! I loved her wisdom, she often gave more to me than I gave to her. The friendship of trust and talking thru life. Sweet memories!
Henry & Vanette Nagamori says
Our condolences on your loss.
Vicki Weida says
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church received a memorial for Jane Tuggle from Barbara Beck Daniel-Tuggle in the amount of $100. We have sent her an acknowledgement, but did not have an address for you, so are using this site to let you know of her kindness. We are most grateful for this Memorial and so glad she and her husband were married there with our good friends Fern and Leroy Holshue.