Lenore Arlene Hildenstab, age 93, of Helena

On Friday evening, May 16th, our mom, grandma, great grandma and dear friend passed away from this life into the arms of heaven. She was 93 years young.

Lenore was born March 18th, 1932, in Watford City, North Dakota. She spent her childhood in Watford City on a small farm. She shared a small two-room farmhouse with her 7 siblings and parents.

When she was 15 the family moved to Polson, MT. Lenore attended school there and worked at a local cafe as a waitress and cook.

Lenore met “Sunny” the love of her life at a rodeo in Polson. He was a bare back rider traveling the rodeo circuit. Sunny saw Lenore walking down the street after the rodeo and told his friend he was going to marry that woman. Later on that evening, Sunny was having dinner at the local cafe and Lenore was his waitress. And… the rest is history!

Sunny and Lenore got married September 26th, 1951. Together they worked on a ranch for Cotton Rosser, a renowned rodeo legend. They continued to follow the rodeo circuit for a couple of years, Sonny a bareback rider, and Lenore as the lead for grand entries for rodeos.

Lenore and Sunny moved to Helena in the mid-fifties, starting a family. They had 6 children within 7 years.

Lenore was an incredible homemaker completely devoted to her husband and family. She was one remarkable seamstress! She sewed all of Sunny’s western shirts. She sewed seams down the front of every pair of his jeans. She sewed almost all of her children’s clothes including their underclothes. She was a magnificent cook. She could make something out of nothing. She made the most delectable bread and rolls for her family. She had to make bread almost every day for her large family.

Lenore’s home was a place of comfort and warmth. She was very hospitable. She had a keen eye for perfection. She was the hardest working woman. Her courage and strength were a mainstay. She lived by the motto “Never give up.”

Lenore accepted the Lord as her savior when she was 80 years old. She attended a tea party at church where she heard the gospel. She later got baptized at 81 years young. Lenore commented, it was the only time in her whole life her head was completely submerged in water!

Lenore was preceded in death by her parents, 6 of her siblings, her husband Sunny, daughter Carol, son Joe and grandson Nick.

She is survived by her children, son Jimmy (Laura) of East Helena, daughters Arlene Bender of Helena, Nori Hildenstab of Bozeman, Jeannie Whittle of Conrad and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 5^th, 2025, at 11am at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59602. Following the funeral service, a reception will take place in the social hall of the funeral home. Graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 7100 N. Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59602 after the reception has concluded. Condolences in memory of Lenore can be shared at www.aswfuneralhome.com.

Service Schedule

Funeral Service

11:00am

Thursday June 5, 2025

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N Montana Ave.

Helena, MT 59602

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Reception

Following the Funeral Service

Thursday June 5, 2025

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N Montana Ave.

Helena, MT 59602

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Graveside Service

Following the Reception

Thursday June 5, 2025

Sunset Memorial Gardens

7100 N Montana Ave.

Helena, MT 59602

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