Linda Christine (Chris) Manger
Chris passed away at home on April 5, 2018 from pancreatic cancer. Prior to being treated at home by Hospice of St. Peter’s, she was cared for by Dr. Thomas Weiner and the nurses and staff of St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center, all of whom are knowledgeable, kind and compassionate professionals.
Chris was born May 25, 1950 in Missoula, Montana to Lorena (“Jerry” Anderson) and John (“Jack”) Minnerly. She was the first of four children including brothers John “Casey” of St. Louis, MO, Jeffery “Big City” of Seattle, WA and sister Susan Orton of Queen Creek, AZ. Chris’ father led the family to Bremerton, Washington when she was quite young, where he worked for the U.S. Navy. There, she enjoyed being on the water in one of her father’s boats (to which he was also married). She made frequent trips with her family back to Montana to see her grandparents Dorothy (LaSalle) Anderson and Marie and William (Turk) Minnerly.
After graduating from high school in Bremerton in 1968, Chris returned to Montana to work at Legendary Lodge where her grandmother was the cook, and to attend Carroll College where she earned a degree in Sociology in 1972. She worked for the State of Montana until 1978. She married Michael Manger at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church in East Helena in June, 1978.
Chris was busy ever after raising her children Katherine and Zachary, first in Seattle, then Butte and finally in Helena. When not attending PTA meetings, Campfire Girls performances, or helping with Boy Scout projects, she found time to be a carpenter’s helper, delivery person, home chef, and volunteer (West Mont, Food Share and Meals on Wheels among others).
By the time the kids could walk to school and home on their own, Chris resumed her education at Carroll College earning a degree in accounting in 1993. After completing the CPA examination, she worked at Galusha, Higgins and Galusha accounting firm before joining Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Montana as an accountant. Chris worked her way up at Blue Cross to become controller in 2008.
Chris always loved travel. She completed her senior year at Carroll College in Florence, Italy. While there, she took every opportunity to learn as many ways as she could to say “I’ll have a glass of red wine, please” and to visit as much of Europe and the Middle East, as possible. After graduating from Carroll, she supplemented her salary from the State by working as a waitress at the Montana Club in Helena to earn travel money so she could return to see more of Europe and to visit Canada and Mexico.
In addition to travel, Chris enjoyed golf, hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, reading, cooking, photography, painting, music and gardening. She has been most infatuated with her grandchildren Madeleine, Ryan and Tristen, their growth, education and adventures.
Chris was known by some for her sense of humor though this notion has been contested by her family.
Chris was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Chris has requested that she be cremated and that her remains be distributed in places that she has visited and loved in the past. Her family is in process of evaluating the possibilities and will probably choose warm, scenic and friendly places.
She has also requested that anyone who would like to remember her make a donation to Helena Food Share, The Friendship Center, God’s Love or Doctors Without Borders instead of buying flowers. Better yet, make it the charity of your choice, so you can feel great about it.
A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 13th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena. A reception will follow in the social hall of the funeral home. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Chris.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
10:00 a.m.
Friday April 13, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Anita Buchanan says
SO SORRY MIKE TO READ OF CRIS PASSING, I KNOW THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE, MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS, STAY STRONG.
Lauren and Mark Murpy says
Chris was a wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lauren and Mark Murphy
Concetta & Len Eckel says
Mike and family,
Chris did have a great sense of humor and made anyone who knew her feel special even though we always felt she was the special one. She has left us all way too soon, but her love of life is an inspiration to all of us to enjoy and cherish each day and each other. Our love to you all!
Concetta and Len
Judy and Larry Baker says
Mike – I will always remember Chris for her engaging smile and quick wit. She was a really good person. We’re so very sorry for your loss. She’ll certainly be missed by so many.
Janice Connors says
Mike, Katie and Zach,
I was lucky enough to have traveled with Chris in the 70’s as she lead us through Mexico and France. These trips are amongst my best memories. Chris was willing to try anything and laugh her way through the inevitable challenges that came up. My thoughts and prayers are with you all this week. Janice
Dannette Sullivan says
I am working a meeting in San Diego California today and have Chris very much on my mind. The first trip of any consequence I ever took after college was directed by Chris. Janice, Margo, Chris and I drove from Helena to San Diego on our way to a grand adventure in Oaxaca and Mexico City Mexico. I was such a novice and a bit of a wreck about how to do it all, but felt quite confident about Chris’s ability to be our director. It was a fabulous trip with many many stories to be told. Like Janice, it is among my fondest memories! Rest In Peace Chris.
Stevie & Dan Erving says
Mike and Family,
Our hearts go out to all of you. Chris was a loving, kind neighbor with a wonderful sense of humor to the end. She was a great role model, and handled her cancer with unbelievable courage and dignity. We feel so privileged to have known her. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May God bless you all.
Chase Hibbard says
Mike,
I did appreciate her sense of humor! Chris was one of the more talented people I have ever worked with. Always good natured and a pleasure to associate with. She will be missed.
Chase Hibbard
Marlys and Jim Rulon says
Mike,
I miss Chris and so admired her ability to discuss anything, even the most controversial topics, with intelligence, with a sense of humor and with respect for others’ opinions. I enjoyed working with Chris and socializing with both of you. Golf was a pleasure and dinner at your house was a special treat for Jim and I. Take care and peace.
Marci & Steve Lynn says
Mike and Family,
We were very saddened to read of Chris’ untimely passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time.
My memories of Chris bring a lot of joy to my heart. says
Chris was my roommate in Florence, where we both spent our senior year. I remember traveling a lot with Chris, most weekends. As roommates our friendship was very easy-going and fun. We traveled many weekends two towns or places near Florence to sightsee & have adventures. I remember one longer break that we took, we went to Barcelona to buy guitars. We took the train and then hitchhiked and then took the train some more. Just inside the French border, we decided we would hitchhike. We got a ride with a Hungarian man who is really strange! He claimed that he seduced his teacher when he was in high school. He may have said that she was a nun. I don’t remember if we invented that or he actually said that. Needless to say warning signs went on in our heads -Chris got out her pocket knife, prepared to use if necessary. We escaped our ride at a stoplight in Canes then Got back on a train to Barcelona. While our hitchhiking along the Riviera turned out to be a bit scary, it was something we talked about for a long time, a great story . We did get to Barcelona, got guitars,.And enjoyed being tourists in the beautiful city. We also saw the Tuna. A group of men dressed in black with colorful ribbons on their costumes – and sang traditional Spanish music . My memories of Chris bring a lot of joy to my heart. Bless her And her loved ones. Claire Munzenrider
Ron King says
To Mike and other. Family. I had the pleasant opportunity to work closely with Chris at BCBS. One word discribes that experience-RELIABLE.i won’t say all that it take to be reliable but if one thinks about it for a.moment it requires knowledge, integrity, caring, and on and on. Chris was all of that. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity.
Ron King says
To Mike and other family and friends. I had the pleasant opportunity to work with Chris at BCBS. One word summarizes that experience. Chris was reliable. Think for a moment what it takes to be reliable. Knowledge, caring, integrity and it goes on. I am very thankful that I had that opportunity .
Valerie Johnson says
Words cannot express the sorrow I felt upon hearing the news of Chris passing. She was always so kind and gentle, a gem. I think the last time I saw Chris was at Grandma Anderson and her Aunt Jerry’s services. I didn’t know she was battling pancreatic cancer. I am so very sorry. May she Rest In Peace and be filled with joy at reuniting with grandmother and her mother in the heavens above. Much love and prayers to all. Love Valerie (Anderson) Johnson and family
Mary Runkel says
Chris was always so much fun to work with. She was always positive about everything,and always made things happen. Mike, my thoughts and prayers are with you