Juanita “Nita” Lorraine Creach, age 72, passed away suddenly of natural causes on the morning of November 25, 2023 in Helena, Montana. Her infectious laughter and impactful work with Capital High School youth left a beacon of light for all in the Helena community.
Nita was born on October 21,1951 to Elizabeth “Betty” L. Pieper-Creach and Jack M. Creach Sr. She was the middle of three children, and is survived by her close brother Jack M. Creach Jr. of Salem, Oregon. Nita often spoke fondly of the youngest child, Jeffery, honoring the memory of their brother who sadly did not survive past age one.
Nita graduated from Helena High School in 1970 and kept in close contact with classmates, including weekly lunches and organizing class reunions. She also attended Walla Walla College and Flathead Valley Community College, and was a strong proponent of continuing education and skills development. Nita always believed you were capable of far more than you realized.
Above all, Nita enjoyed helping others. She worked for 21 years at Capital High School in the Credit Recovery classes, inspiring countless youth to graduate high school and make positive choices in their lives. She refused to give up on her students, no matter the struggle, and continued to support them far beyond the classroom. She retired in June 2023; her inspirational reach was remembered by Capital High School Principal Brett Zanto:
“Nita helped so many students graduate and she was a fixture at Capital High School. If I needed to know anything that was going on in the school, I’d go to Nita. She always tried to get us as connected as possible with students.”
Nita was also recently recognized by current UFC Bantamweight Champion fighter Sean O’Malley as being a key supporter, encouraging him to pursue his dreams. We could always count on Nita to set us straight with words of wisdom, sage advice and, sometimes, tough love.
Growing up, Nita loved riding horses and camping. She belonged to the Helena Trail Riders and participated in O-Mok-See competitions; her favorite event was the cowhide drag. She had recently rejoined the Trail Riders, helping out at meetings and showing up to support the kids’ competitions. Nita was also her niece’s biggest fan, always there to encourage all of Dawn Creach’s horse riding and rodeo endeavors.
Nita always had a special connection with animals and they, having good instincts, loved her as much as she loved them.
Nita also loved her family dearly and relished tracing the Creach and Pieper family history. She devoted her time and energy for many years as the caregiver to her beloved mother, Betty, who had dementia. Nita would drop everything to attend to those who needed help, were sick, or simply wanted to engage in a marathon phone call.
We will lovingly remember Nita’s strong will, stubbornness, and a great sense of humor. Her smile would light up any room.
Nita is survived by Jack M. Creach, Jr. (brother) and his wife Barb Myers-Creach (sister-in-law), E. Dawn Creach (niece), James A. Creach (nephew), Tyler Creach (great niece), and countless other relatives, friends, students, and colleagues.
The Creach Family established a scholarship fund at the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) to annually provide a scholarship for students in Credit Recovery classes at Capital High School in Helena who are pursuing any type of career advancement program. The scholarship aims to nurture diverse career aspirations such as skilled trades, vocational training, acting or the arts, animal care or equestrian pursuits, martial arts, or higher education. Click here to learn more and donate.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday May 25, 2024
Helena Alliance Church
1400 Stuart St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday May 25, 2024
Helena Alliance Church
1400 Stuart St.
Helena, Montana 59601
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Maria Hall says
Our hearts are with you all. Nita you will be missed and we loved you dearly. Thank you for all that you did and those that you helped.
James Creach says
Thank you Dawn Creach for being able to express what Nita meant to my family. Thank you Nita. Dad was lucky to have you as his sister. Thank you Dawn. I am lucky to have you as my sister. ♥
Marissa Quenzer says
Ms. Creach,
We kept in touch throughout the years & I’m so thankful we did. You are a huge success to so many students stories and lives. You have touched so many hearts and taught young minds the tough love that they needed to stay on track and better themselves! You are absolutely wonderful & I am so sad now that you’re gone. I just saw you a few months ago 🙁 Rest in Peace Ms Creach. You will be missed by so many!!
Kathy Lewis Schlimgen says
I graduated with Nita. I can’t say we hung out together back then, but I knew she would be at every class reunion and I knew she was behind getting these reunions organized. I hope she knew we appreciated that so much. I loved reading her obituarty and hearing all that she has done with her life. What a giving soul. Please know my thoughts are with you all. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Savannah Hartman says
I graduated with Nita if it wasn’t for her determination to help me in credit recovery I would have never graduated I know we didn’t keep in touch after I graduated but I always appreciated the help when I had a question and you were always around when I wanted to talk or need to rant to someone about things going on in my life I hope she knew how much of an impact she made on her students thank you for sharing her with us she will be forever missed
Sally Russell says
So sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers go out to all
Diana Hall says
Will miss our nice neighbor! Sending love and prayers of comfort to all the family & friends!
Dona {Linn) Dobler says
Nita was the pillar for the class of 70 re
Dona J Dobler says
Class of 70, we will remember Nita and see everyone who can make it to her celebration of life!!!!!!
I would encourage you to contribute to the scholarship fund to keep her legacy alive for students in years to come.
Dona Dobler
JACK M CREACH says
I miss her very much. I can’t believe she is gone. I still pick up the phone to call her and remember I can’t so I just talk o her.
I do some dabbling in some things on the side and was having a hard time making them work and told her I was thinking about quitting. In her own no nonsense way she said, “why, you are smarter than that, just go do it”. I am, and it is working.
There was something about her advice that just took.
I miss her too.
Ashlynn Perryman says
mrs.creach helped me through highschool (the little bit i was there) more than any other teachers there she pushed me through and helped me as much as she could i wouldnt have got as far as i did without mrs.creach helping me through we love you mrs.creach!
Samantha Storni says
NITA CREACH WAS AN AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL SOUL, SHE TOUCHED ALOT OF OUR LIVES WITH THE WORK SHE DID FOR ALL OF US. IM SURE GOING TO MISS HER. IF IT WASNT FOR HER I WOULD HAVE NEVER MADE IT THOUGHT HIGH SCHOOL AND I THANK HER FOR THAT EVERYDAY. LOVE U MISS CREACH, FLY HIGH AND RIP.
Susan Butler says
Nita was a colleague at CHS who loved her students. She was a stern, no nonsense teacher who knew how to motivate her struggling students. She was a listening ear, a sounding board and a giver of advice. These challenged kids totally respected Nita and the ones who didn’t eventually did. Nita was a great asset to CHS and was the model of student devotion and was a strong advocate for their success.
Allen Stockdale says
Nita was the face of HHS Class of 70 Reunions. My wife Valerie, fellow HHS 70 classmate Lynn Hamilton, and myself took my last Gates of the Mountain tour. Tour was conducted by brother of another HHS 70 classmate
Nick Crawford. The four of us had supper at the Grub Stake after tour.
Jasmine Tilton says
Rest in peace ! you touched so many lives! So blessed to have known you!!!!
Londa says
Jack, I am so sorry about Nita. Londa
Marv St Clair says
Sorry for the family and friends loss! Nita was my go-to person for our class reunions and soon became a true friend. She immersed herself into what she cared for and loved doing what she did. She had a kind soul for sure. She’d keep myself and many informed of happenings there in Helena. I worked a class reunion in 1980 so I know how hard Nita worked in making all the rest of them such a success. She was a dynamo and is going to be greatly missed. Rest in peace there young lady, you surely deserve it..
Maurie Finstad says
I can’t believe that NIta is not with us any more. I remember she was always in my live. Nita came into my live when I was in highschool . My mom took care of her and Jackie, they were so special, and so much fun. Later in life she and I had so much fun with Betty, their mom, when she needed help. I will miss her so very much. May she rest in peace.
Susan Siglin Andrews says
Dear Doc,
I just decided to google the Creech family in Helena. To my shock Nita’s pictures came up with her obituary. You must be so proud of your little sister. The last I knew she was off to college in Washington state. Reading her story makes me very sad I didn’t keep in touch. I have wonderful memories of the summer I spent in Helena with my grandparents and Terry. Trail rides and the privilege of riding in the drill team and the Helena parade. Of course riding a Creech horse.
Please accept my sincere sympathy. You and Nita were so fortunate to have such wonderful parents. Sincerely,Terry Daugherty’s niece,
Susan Siglin Andrews Perry, Iowa
Carol Ann Dietzen says
I fondly remember Nita. She was a friend and classmate of my younger sister, Melanie Hoell. They graduated from Helena High School in 1970.
When I taught and counseled students at Capital High School, I was delighted to find out that Nita was working there! We caught up on our life adventures and often had occasion to talk about student needs there.
Nita was, indeed, a valuable asset to students at Capital High School, and they adored her.