Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home

Assisting the Montana communities of Helena, East Helena, Townsend, White Sulphur Springs, Montana City, Clancy & Lincoln

For Immediate Help Call 1.406.442.8520

In Memory Of

Jennifer E. Adams age 41 of Helena

December 20, 1976 – April 25, 2018

Jennifer E. (Johnson) Adams, 41, of Helena, passed away on April 25th, 2018 after a courageous 20-year battle with chronic pain.  She was the third child born to Phillip and Colleen Johnson on December 20th, 1976, in Bozeman, Montana.  She spent several early years in Minnesota, before she and her family relocated to Great Falls, and moved on to Helena in second grade.  She attended Smith Elementary, Helena Middle School and was a 1995 graduate of Helena High School with honors.  Jen attended Montana State University, graduating with honors, obtaining a bachelor of science in sociology and criminology in 2000.  Go Cats!

She began her law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff in “29” Rosebud County, living in Forsyth. In an effort to expand her career, she returned to Helena to attend the Police Academy, graduating in 2003.  She proudly joined the City of Helena Police Department in 2003, serving for many years until health issues required her to exit her dream occupation.  She went on to work for the Department of Health and Human Services, Sole Sisters, and the Department of Agriculture on a part-time basis as her health would allow.  In all of her career endeavors, she loved to serve the public.

In 2003 she married Josh Adams, making her the loving step-mother to Kinzie Adams. In June of 2005 they welcomed their son, Joshua “Tuff” Adams, while her husband was actively deployed serving his country in Iraq.  Jen was proud to be a military wife for 10 years.

Among all of Jen’s accomplishments, being a mother to Tuff was her greatest achievement and source of joy. She lovingly referred to her son as “Hammer”, because of his amazing athletic ability in football, soccer and basketball.  Jen’s tenacious spirit developed spending many summers at the family Spear O Ranch with her cousins whom she considered siblings, combined with her Butte-Irish family heritage.  She loved marathon running, downhill skiing and snowboarding, martial arts, boating, camping, golf and hiking.

Jen’s numerous family and friends have described her as intelligent, funny, fierce, witty and beautiful, with a dazzling smile so big it put the stars to shame.

Jen is survived by her son Tuff Adams, her parents Phillip and Colleen Johnson of Helena, sisters Tori (Jamie) Gleich of East Helena, Gwen Felstet of Billings, nieces Lauren (Jordan) Reisbeck, Katie Gleich, Sidney Felstet, and nephew Jake Felstet.   She is also survived by an amazing extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Jen is preceded in death by grandparents Torrey and Adrienne Johnson, and George “Pegger” and Molly Lee.

Her family takes comfort in knowing she will always be beautiful, and she is free of pain in the loving arms of her Lord.

A service celebrating Jennifer’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2nd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A graveside service will immediately follow at Forestvale Cemetery. Following the graveside service, a reception will be held at the Green Meadow Country Club, 2720 Country Club Avenue in Helena. Donations to a college trust fund for Jennifer’s son, Tuff Adams, can be made to First Interstate Bank, 3401 N. Montana Avenue, Helena, MT  59602.

Service Schedule

Celebration of Her Life

10:00 a.m

Wednesday May 2, 2018

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 North Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Graveside Service

Following her celebration of life

Wednesday May 2, 2018

Forestvale Cemetery

Helena , Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Immediately following the Burial

Wednesday May 2, 2018

Green Meadow Country Club

2720 Country Club Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Service Schedule

Celebration of Her Life

10:00 a.m

Wednesday May 2, 2018

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 North Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Graveside Service

Following her celebration of life

Wednesday May 2, 2018

Forestvale Cemetery

Helena , Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Immediately following the Burial

Wednesday May 2, 2018

Green Meadow Country Club

2720 Country Club Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

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Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  2. Gwen and family, there are no words. I’m thinking of you all and wish you comfort and peace in your memories of Jen. My heart goes out to you all.

  3. My thoughts are so with my brothers family at this time. Words are totally inadequate.May Jenny rest in peace and be free of pain. I love you all.

  4. Gwen , I am in Tanzania as I read this and so very sorry for your great loss. There just are no words other than I am so sorry. I wish I could be with you and give you a hug .
    Love and prayers,
    Sharon Bonogofsky-Parker

  5. Gwen I am so sorry to hear of your lose! I am sending you my love, hugs and prayers during this difficult time. Let me know if you need anything or if I can help out in anyway.

  6. We are so sorry for your loss, Tori & Jamie. We can’t imagine the pain you are going through, but know that we care, deeply. Blessings for God’s peace to you all❤️

  7. Oh hell NO! I just discovered this on FB.
    I connected with Jen @ the Pain conference. Then she joined the workforce @ NASS. I will miss seeing her beautiful face and her fighting spirit.
    She can rest easily now, pain freedom. She will always be the guardian angel following her family around. Prayers for you all.

  9. My heart is heavy with sadness! Phil, Colleen, Tori and Jamie, and all of your family members, I am so very sorry for the loss you are experiencing. My deepest sympathy to you all. I pray that God grant you strength during this difficult time. Thoughts and prayers abundant are with you!

  10. We are so saddened by the loss of beautiful Jennifer. She is now free of pain and may she rest in peace. She
    was much too young to leave us.

  11. So Sorry about this.
    And
    Sadly I will be out of town for the services.
    Praying for Tuff and family.

  12. Thoughts and prayers for Tuff and his family. Our hearts are broken for you all. May God comfort you in your time of need.

  14. Please accept our heartfelt condolences for your great loss.

    Members, colleagues, and friends of the Alliance for the Treatment of Intractable Pain

  15. Tori, Jamie, Lauren, Katie and family, our thoughts and prayers go out to you all. We’re so sorry for your loss.
    May grace and beautiful memories surround you all.

    Miles, Colleen & Kenzie Benton

  16. Our hearts are filled with sadness today hearing of Jennifer’s passing. She was a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. We were lucky to have known her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time and we wish for peace to all those she cared so much for. Our sincere condolences, Kim and Gerry, -sole sisters-

  17. As a member of a group of physicians and patients fighting for the right to treatment of painful diseases, I have great sadness at hearing another person who suffered with pain choosing a new journey without pain. All 18,000 of us on twitter send our prayers for Jennifer and for Jennifer’s teenager, her family and her friends. Via Con Dios

  18. I met Jen when she was going through the academy. She was stunningly beautiful, smart, inspiring, and bad ass!! She told me she could never have children but I’ll never forget her going to have surgery and they said you know you are pregnant right?! It was a miracle and I was over joyed for her. I knew she was going to be an amazing mom. Then life happened and we lost touch. But God brings people into our lives for a reason and I found out that Tuff was on my son’s basketball team. We reconnected and it was so nice to get to see her every week. Jen and I had a lot of similarities in that life didn’t turn out the way we had dreamed, imagined, and hoped. But we were very strong, independent women, and we were going to make it through. One thing was obvious is that we both loved our boys and they were our world! In fact some days, that was the only reason to get out of bed. Tuff – I hope you know and will never forget how much your mom loves, loves, loves you with all her heart. She fought hard everyday and you were the reason. She is beyond proud of you and you were her pride and joy! She called you her mini me and said you looked just like her. You really do.
    I already miss Jen so much! I will miss seeing her smiling face at basketball games and the ginormous hugs she would give me. I knew she had my back and I had hers. I find peace in that she is no longer suffering and is no longer in pain. I was privileged and beyond blessed to have Jen in my life. I now have another very special angel in heaven to watch over me❤️

  20. Dear Tori, Jamie, and girls,

    We just learned of this tragic news today. Our hearts break for all of you. Please know that our, thoughts, prayers, and love are with you.

    Our deepest sympathy, Pete, Maria and kids

  21. I am deeply sorry for your loss. May the family receive much needed comfort to help ease your pain of grief. Please be assured that the beautiful promise of our Lord Jesus at John 11:25 will bring a measure of comfort to your hearts. Throughout his ministry he showed his power to resurrect different ones from their deep sleep. What a beautiful, loving hope for your love one lost to you.

  22. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest sympathy. COFWA member Joe and Veronica Kramer

  23. Jennifer had an awesome smile, even when it hurt. Prayers to the family and hope that they can find solace in that there is no more pain. I met Jen in Ca at Dr. Tennant’s, she blessed my heart and we chatted about the condition that brought us together several times.
    Cindy

  24. There are no words that can express this – the depth of profound feeling and pain. I am so very sorry for this unimaginable loss. I also was a pain patient of Dr. Tennant’s. I’m a mother to a teenaged son, who knows that I love him beyond reason, measure or limits – and that there exist agonies beyond enduring. How deeply sorry I am. The pain community grieves with you. Sending you light and love. -Kelly

  25. The pain community mourns another unnecessary loss of a life – our souls are crushed as the numbers mount. Our hearts go out to Jennifer’s family and friends, we will keep fighting for those we have lost and those that can’t fight for themselves. Valorie Hawk, C-50, Coalition of 50 State Pain Advocacy Groups

  26. The members of the Ohio Pain Advocacy group C -50 feel the pain of loosing your loved one. We will continue our fight in her memory and the memories of all the Intractable Pain Patients who have been put in the situation where leaving this earthly plane and those we love becomes the only way to stop our suffering. So very sorry for your loss.

  27. My thoughts are with Tuff and Jen’s family and friends. My heart goes out to you all.

  28. My heart hurts so much. Jen was one of the first people to encourage me to take a risk and start my new adventure and without her I would not be enjoying the life that I do today. She was always offering a kind word and always talked about her amazing Son. I will never forget Her spirit and smile.

  29. Phil and Colleen, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in friends and family during this difficult time.

  30. You have my deepest sympathies. While I didn’t know Jen personally, the entire chronic pain community weeps when we lose one of our own. Sending healing thoughts and prayers for her family and friends.

  31. Phil, Colleen, and Tuff,
    We are sorry to hear about your loss.
    Chris, Elsie, Raymond, and Cecelia

  32. I am so deeply sorry. I have the same disease she suffered from, and I understand. Please accept my deepest sympathies with love Judy Bolen

  33. Michael K. says
    Jen, I wish your family love. I never
    met you, in life, but, I know you by way
    of Arachnoiditis… that I also have.
    Your life was a statement, of heroic
    courage. Be at peace and comfort. You
    are great light.
    Best Wishes, Michael.

  35. Phil, Colleen, Gwen and Tori:
    I am so sorry to hear of Jen’s passing. She will forever be a bright, beautiful light. Her legacy lives on in her son, and in all of your hearts and memories. May you find comfort in one another, knowing that she is at peace and free from suffering in heaven.

  36. As a fellow Arachnoiditis patient, I understand and so deeply grieve … all of us in the pain community are mourning this loss.
    Praying for the family and friends to find peace and be comforted.
    Jennifer will live on in your hearts and memories forever.

  37. My deepest condolences on your loss. I also suffer from intractable chronic pain and understand how Jen must have suffered. I am an admin for a Chronic Pain Facebook page with hundreds of members and there are millions of American citizens and Vets who suffer from chronic pain and the majority of us pray for others who suffer. May she rest in peace free from pain.

  38. My son Chris Storseth and Jennifer were very good friends in high school and beyond those days. They talked often about there accidents and the endless pain that haunted them. My son committed suicide on December 19th. ‘2017. God bless Jennifer and her family. I am so very sorry. Pete and Donna Storseth

  40. Beautiful woman in so many ways. Pain can wear you out and she is finally free from pain. Jen will be missed at NASS.

  41. I am so terribly sorry for your loss. There are really no words that can help but please know that many people have you in their thoughts and prayers in your time of loss. Denise Smith

  42. I hadn’t seen Jen for sometime when she came to say hello to her mom, dad, my wife, Mary and me when our daughter, Kelley, was playing softball in Helena. She was in her police uniform. Mary and I thought she had to be the prettiest cop on the planet. I want to remember her as,that young healthy person. So very sorry for your loss!
    Love, Steve and Mary

  43. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers for Tuff and family. May you find comfort in one another during this time of loss.

  44. Words can not express the depth of our sorrow to Jennifer’s family & friends, and to our fellow pain community. May Jennifer truly rest, find comfort and be at peace… ?? (black hearts to honor those we have lost to pain).
    Chronic Pain Voices Family/Friends

  45. Sweet Jennifer, please be at peace and most of all pain free. Your friends in pain will not forget you.
    You are a strong mighty warrior who fought the worst of the worst with everything you had inside. Rest easy,
    Jennifer. We will continue the fight. Healing wishes to your family. ????with love from a fellow chronic pain patient.

  46. There are no words to express the depth of my sorrow to all of Jen’s family and friends. While I did not know Jen. I know intractable chronic pain and have for much of my life. I too am a member of the chronic pain community and family. All our hearts hurt imagining the loss of this apparent lovely woman

    Punishment of the legitimate, intractable chronic pain community, opiate maintained, must stop. NOW. Chronic pain pts. who relied, rely on opiates are not, nor have not been the problem. We have all become victims. scapegoated thanks to the heroin synthetic ,fentanyl, carafentanyl. meth and cocaine and other illicit drug addicts who overdosed, died. They had no reason to ingest these drugs, never knew intractable CP. CP pts. would appreciate their pain managed— and if opiates enable functional abilities and quality of life, do be it. If there’s success in alleviating suffering from opiates, do be it. Access yo opiates should never be tapered, abolished if the patient reports satisfactory pain relief. I’m so very sorry. The pain community will not allow Jens death, nor the many who preceded her to be in vain. Yes, we will continue to fight eith vigilance and until a colossal wrong is rectified by multiple levels of Government with their agenda which is not our agenda at all. Dear God, stop the suffering. My heart is with you and your families. Prayers sent up. Xoxox Susie.

  47. Phil and Colleen,
    My prayers are with you guys. She was a wonderful mother and a wonderful and caring person.

  48. I’m sure everyone who reads this is saddened by her passing but to be in our Ceator’s hands means no more pain and misery. My thoughts and prayers for her entire family and friends go out to all. I speak for the state of Arkansas.

  49. We are so very sorry for your loss of beautiful Jennifer. Our thoughts, love and prayers are with you all during this incredibly sad time.

  50. My very deepest sympathy to Jen’s family. My heart is broken for Tuff, and all who loved her so much.
    Rest in Peace Jen…

  51. I am so very sorry for the loss of Jennifer. While I have not seen her for many years since her and my Uncle Josh parted ways, I know how great of a woman she was. I was very blessed to have had her as my aunt for nearly 10 years, and will always remember her as the beautiful, funny, and caring person she was. Tuff will be surrounded by poeple who loved his mamma, and him and hopefully will find some comfort in that.
    Rest in Peace Jen….

  52. To the Johnson/Adams Families,
    I am so very sorry for your loss of Jennifer. I went to school with Jennifer and saw her often at our sons’ sport activities. She always had a smile on her face and was an absolute beauty. May you find peace in knowing she is now free of pain.

  53. I didn’t know Jen, I am just a fellow person in pain, part of a community that is grieving along with you. I wish I had known her and could have helped her. At least she is no longer suffering and you all should take some comfort in that. My heartfelt condolences to all of you .

  54. Phil and Colleen,
    I am so sorry for Jen’s pain and so sorry for yours. She is beautiful and courageous in her battle. May she Rest In Peace and may you find comfort in knowing her pain no longer controls her. She is free. God bless all of you. With all my love, Robin

  55. I did not know Jennifer but wish I had known her and her journey. I also have Adhesive Arachnoiditis and have had it for many years, so I think I can say I know what Jennifer was going through. It is a sad situation to know that it takes Jennifer’s death to once again bring the “other side” of chronic pain to everyone’s attention. Chronic pain sufferers like Jennifer and I just want to have a half normal life. We aren’t drug seekers and drug sellers. We are human beings who are in severe, never ending pain, every single day of our lives. Jennifer, may you Rest In Peace. Pain Free.

  56. Many prayers to Tuff and family for continual comfort. I have known Jenn for many years, and loved her. Beautiful, strong loving lady with a love like no other for her son Tuff. Bless her family and Tuffs family with comfort and love for the future. I will miss you dearly Jenn, we will have many lunches together someday. Rest In Peace beautiful, Love Jeanene

  57. To Josh, Tuff and Jennifer’s family,
    Sorry we couldn’t make it today but are prayers , thoughts are with everyone at this hard time. We didn’t know Jen that well but when we were around her she always had a smile on her face, loved to talk and be with her family. She will be missed.

  59. To Jennifer’s Family & Friends,

    Please accept my deepest heartfelt condolences for the loss of Jennifer.
    As someone who suffers from intractable pain for many decades, I understand the challenges of life long incurable pain conditions & diseases. I wish no human ever had to suffer from such horrible & unrelenting pain. There is a whole community of people grieving the loss of Jennifer’s life that ended much too soon.

    You are at peace now Jennifer, pain warrior sister. No longer suffering from your pain. RIP now Dear ?

    Marilyn Masonis
    Pain Warrior Sister ?

  60. Jennifer, I didn’t know you personally, but losing you has brought great sadness to my heart and to the hearts of all in the pain community. May you rest in peace, in the arms of the Angels with no more pain. My thoughts and prayers are with Jennifer’s family and friends.

  61. Certainly there has been enough drama regarding the prohibition of Opiates and I miss all who died needlessly. This is not a Drama I wish to participate in. Condolences to all Family and friends and fellow sufferers.

  62. Philip, Coleen and family, So sad to hear this. Thoughts and prayers to all of you.

  63. As an active member of the twtr #chronic/#intractablepain community; + 1 w. non-stop pain for several decades; you all have my deepest condolences. Jennifer definitely #gonetoosoon. No more pain sweet ?. RIP. #GoneButNeverForgotten

  64. I would like to add my condolence to the family of Jennifer. I am a Chronic Pain Patient who deals with relentless pain from RSD and Fibromyalgia as well as Degenerative Disc Disease. I also know of Dr. Klein who posted a loving message here for Jennifer’s family. I wish I had known Jennifer but I want the family to know – I along with so many others will continue to fight for Chronic Pain Patients living with many different debilitating diseases and we will do it in Jennifer’s honor. Our hearts are heavy out here. God Bless all of you- prayers for Tuff and the entire family.

  65. Please know that Jennifer is being thought of by friends and strangers alike. Her battle was courageous. Best wishes to her family from Canada.

  66. To the family of this beautiful woman… please know you’re not alone. You are in my thoughts and prayers….

  67. I’m so sorry that you lost your sweet girl to basically politics over intractable pain. I’m a pain patient too and know what she went through. I hope that I’m not speaking out of turn. I just wanted to let you know that I care.

  68. Oh, how I mourn your loss. I’ll be praying for your family as you grieve. I’m a chronic pain patient, myself. My heart breaks for her and for your family. Love and God bless.

  69. I am so very sorry for the loss of this beautiful Pain-Warrior. I am also a Pain-Warrior (45 and dealing with this chronically for over 20 years). I understand all to well Jennifer’s pain and hopelessness at looking at a life where you are unable to function due to this horrific illness. All I can say is I am so so sorry that our system has failed your family. Much strength and love to you during this time and always.

  70. A fellow chronic pain person here. I wish to give the family my earnest condolences.

  71. I am so sorry for your loss. I too am a chronic pain patient and hate that anybody has to suffer. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  72. All the news agencies need to publish this. God bless her family and may they find peace, knowing this put her out of her pain. But shame on the community of medical practioners and lawmakers who neglected this poor woman and family.

  73. I am a fellow chronic pain sufferer and I am so, so sorry for your loss. I am sorry she has become the public face for this human rights violation.

  74. I understand completely what this beautiful woman was going through. She did NOT deserve what was done to her. She was victimized by ignorance. No one deserves to suffer this way — she was a brave lady who couldn’t hold on any longer.
    — Another chronic pain patient

  75. I did not know Jennifer, but I know chronic pain. I know the days you give your all to be able to show love to your children and participate in family functions. I hope one day that chronic pain is understood and well treated. May she rest in peace and may you all know how much she loved you all. Thank you to Dr. Mark Ibsen and Dr. Klein for bringing light to another warrior lost. ?✌

  76. Hugs, thoughts, and prayers for the survivors of Jennifer’s family. So sad that Jennifer’s life was cut short because of the opiate crisis and what it’s done to the chronic pain patients like myself.

  77. Jennifer Adams may you Rest in Peace. Phillip, Colleen, and Tuff: The Chronic Pain community will stop at nothing to stop this madness. We stand with you and she is the epitome of turning disability into ABILITY with her amazing public service.
    Together, we pray.

  78. I still miss my FAVORITE COUSIN to this day…I hope that when I pass I get to be with her in heaven with My parents and All Relatives. Jen was Incredibly Sweet and Openly Tuff. She named her son Tuff and he is! I carried her ashes to her grave sight and hung out with all my family members for the week before I returned to Texas…

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