Ardis Jean Voeller, who was known throughout her life as Jean, died Saturday, March 23 at St. Peter’s Hospital following a valiant and seemingly never-ending battle with breast cancer that spanned 38 years. She was 77.
The real life story of a bright and beautiful person who would come to be known to all as Jean was truly a seismic event.
The great earthquake that struck Helena in October, 1935 and the hundreds of aftershocks that followed severely damaged many buildings, including the hospitals. This event prompted Don and Mary Allen to seek safe haven in Missoula for the birth of their first child, Ardis Jean Allen, who was born on November 18, 1935.
Jean often described her childhood as a joyous time, spending summers with her cousins at their grandparents’ cabin in Lincoln near the BlackfootRiver.
Her school years were impressive. She was the top student of her eighth grade class. But that was just the beginning. She was elected Vigilante Queen in 1953 and was the valedictorian of her class at Helena High. She was active in Honor Society; during her freshman year she was class president and a Vigilante Princess candidate. Her peers described her as a talented artist; one who was willing to help whenever asked and a credit to the senior class.
Following her graduation from HelenaHigh School she entered Montana State College in Bozeman where she planned to pursue an academic path to the teaching profession.
During her tenure at MSC she served as president of the Associated Women Students, whose duties included regulating all women’s activities on campus; served on the Student Senate; was named a member of “The Big Ten – The Cream of the Crop.” Members were selected by a faculty committee chosen by the MSC president. Grades, activities and leadership were criteria used in the selection process. Jean was vice president of the PI BETAPHI Sorority; Mortar Board, a senior women’s honor society; Phi Sigma, a national scholastic honorary consisting of members of the Botany, Bacteriology, Zoology and Entomology departments. She was also elected to Who’s Who in AmericanColleges and Universities.
Jean earned a B.S. with majors in teaching biology and English. She and Dick Sinclair, whom she had known since childhood, became engaged while students at MSC and were married in June 1957 following their graduation. During their marriage they became the proud parents of two children, Brad and Sue. They subsequently divorced
During and after their marriage Jean taught briefly at Mountain ViewSchool for Girls and Helena Junior High. The majority of her career was spent at Helena High where she taught English and Word Clues. Jean personified a love for learning and knowledge that she spent a lifetime sharing with the utmost of patience.
She married Mike Voeller in 1975. This marriage resulted in a blended family of five children and eventually 10 grandchildren.
Jean and Mike retired from their respective jobs in 1994. They eventually decided to become snowbirds and in the fall of 1999 began spending their winters in GreenValley, AZ. Jean enjoyed golfing, working with ceramics, painting, taking long walks, attending concerts, tending to her flowers and taking it easy in the Arizona sun. Her beautiful rose bushes never failed to generate words of appreciation from passersby.
She also was very actively involved with PEO chapters in Helena and GreenValley. Jean was a charter member of Helena PEO Chapter BK when it was formed in 1969 and served a term as president. She was also elected president of her PEO chapter in GreenValley. PEO is a philanthropic educational organization.
Cancer struck in 2010 for the final time and Jean made her last trip south for a short visit last November.
Jean’s and Mike’s song was “I’ll Get By” and that she did.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Mary Allen, and her brother, John.
Survivors include her sister Judy (Pete) Burggraff of Wolf Creek and Green Valley; her husband, Mike; Brad (Kim) Sinclair and Britney and Braydon of Billings; Sue (Bob) Barrow and Tommy, Boise, ID; Michael (Wendy) Voeller, Kelsey, Karissa and Dylan, Helena; MaryEtta (Rick) Sodja, Colter and Jacob, Helena; Jim (Tana) Voeller, Carson and Josie, Whitefish.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins
A memorial service celebrating Jean’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Interment will follow the memorial service at Resurrection Cemetery. A reception will be held following the interment in the social hall at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Memorials in Jean’s name are suggested to St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Saturday April 6, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Interment
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday April 6, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, MT 59601
Reception
Following the Interment
Saturday April 6, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Saturday April 6, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Interment
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday April 6, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, MT 59601
Reception
Following the Interment
Saturday April 6, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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George Lane says
Mike,
Jean had the greatest smile and every time we talked she was always happy. I will always remember her that way . Be strong and rely on your family and friends at this time. Hope to talk with you soon.
George
Mike & Nance McGrorty says
We are so saddened to hear of Jean’s passing. Our deepest condolences to Jean’s family during this difficult time. We were so very fortunate to have had Jean in our lives. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal & love leaves a memory no one can steal….with those great memories she will never really be gone but missed …..our prayers are with you all.
Nance & Mike
Don Pratt says
Mike: I was so sorry to hear of Jean”s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time. May God help you all through this difficult time. I will not be able to attend the furenral as I will be out of town but know that I will bethinking of you. If I can be of any help please call on me.
Don
Jeremy Allen says
Uncle Mike,
So sorry for your loss. She will be missed by so many. I wish i could be there. Had many great times with the both of you growing up.
John & Patti Armstrong says
We are sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you. Hang in there, buddy.
Pat Murdo says
Mike – I am so sorry for your loss. Most of us who knew you back in the IR days, figured she already was a saint. (Both of you know, I’m saying that with a smile.)
Ron Iverson says
Mike and Family: We haven’t visited for a long time, but please know that I am thinking of you with your wife and mother’s passing. I didn’t teach with Jean, but heard many comments about her value as a teacher. My prayers and thoughts have been with you since I heard of the passing.
Lynne (Allen) Aronen says
Pete and Judy, Mike and family,
I was sorry to hear my cousin, Jean, had passed. She was a classy lady and wonderful person. She will be missed by many. My prayers are with you all.
Linnea G. says
Dear Voeller Family,
We were saddened to learn of Jean’s death and send you all our deepest condolences. Jean was our colleague at Helena High for 15 years, and we were always inspired by her warm and loving attitude toward the students. She was so light-hearted and kind that we never knew she was suffering in any way. We will always have warm memories of Jean and her legacy at Helena High. God bless you all, and cherish her memory.
Linnea and Steve, HHS social studies teachers
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
Mike,
Please know that we are thinking about you at this very difficult time. Jean was truly a lovely lady and she will surely be missed. She was always a bright spot for me at PEO, I will truly miss her. You and your family are in our prayers.
Susie Fergerson - Wong says
I am sad to hear of Jean’s passing. I have many fond memories growing up with Brad and Sue, especially our 4th of July celebrations. Jean always had a smile and was so kind. I will miss bumping into her on my trips to Helena in the summers. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bruce Whittenberg says
Mike and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. I’m glad I got to see her last fall. Take good care of yourself
Carol Cooper Ferguson says
Jean warmed our hearts and lifted our spirits with her radiant smile, gentle ways, and astute observations. I knew Jean as a colleague of my brother (David Cooper), a teacher of my two younger daughters (Laura and Jenny), and, especially, as a much cherished Chapter BK PEO sister. Following Jean’s Green Valley winters, we all delighted in our spring meeting that began with the cheerful ripple, “Jean’s back!”
Laura and Jenny both speak of Jean’s unfailing kindness as a teacher. Jenny shared the following: A boy in her English class was continuously tormenting one of their classmates, making the girl miserable. Finally, calm, well-behaved Jenny, had had it with his cruelty to their classmate and blew up at him — stunning him into silence. Jenny, startled by her own behavior, said she was very grateful to Mrs. Voeller, who “chose not to hear the choice words I used” on the boy. Jenny added, “I don’t ever remember swearing in school, except that one time in English class.” I’d be willing to bet that, perhaps with some relief, Jean recognized effective vocabulary aptly used.
Jean was a joy to us all.
Joan & Mac Grimes says
Pete, Judy & Family. So sorry to hear of Jeans passing. We were good friends in school and though out the years, We ran into her at a Farmers Marker in Helena a few years ago and was so glad to see her as it had been awhile. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Bonnie Allen Pollock says
I was so sad to hear of Jeans passing. I will always remember her wonderful smile. She was a truly outstanding individual which we all were so lucky to have know. She will be missed. Prays to you Mike and family, Judy and Pete. Us cousins had a very special life and relationship with each other. We may not have been in contact as often as we should have been but we all shared such special memories of each other and the times we did have together. Love Bonnie Allen Pollock (Cousin)
Tom Albrecht says
Jean will be missed by so many including her colleagues at Helena High School. I enjoyed teaching with Jean several years in the English Department at HHS. Many students were blessed with the wisdom and information that Jean imparted to them. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Tom Albrecht
Laurie and Joe Lamson says
Mike and Family:
Laurie and I will always look fondly and the rounds of golf and laughs we shared with Jean and you. The genorisity of her warmth and friendship brought a little sunshine in for all who knew her.
Take care dear friend. We wish you peace and comfort in the love you shared.
Laurie and Joe Lamson
Carole Sowden says
Voeller Family: I knew Jean when we were both teaching at Helena High. Jean was a very lovely lady and it was always nice to visit with her. I am very sorry for your loss.
Carole Sowden