Linda Hrella, 92, of Helena, MT passed away Saturday morning, March 9. Linda was born in Deer Lodge, Tennessee on Jan. 13, 1927.
A descendant of Scottish immigrants of the Frazier and Morgan clans, as a teenager her parents relocated Linda and her two sisters from Tennessee to southern California. It was in Brawley, CA that she met the love of her life, East Helena resident Bill Hrella while he was completing his Marine Corps training to fight in the Pacific during World War II. After Bill’s return from the Pacific, Linda and Bill married Oct. 8, 1945.
The two started their young family of four children in southern California while Bill managed grocery stores there until returning to East Helena in 1962 to take over his family grocery store, Hrella Bros., in East Helena. Bill and Linda would run Hrella Bros. for over three decades before retiring and selling the business in 1994, that year marking a century of the Hrella family’s ownership of the store.
During her life, Linda chaired the hospital auxiliary in Brawley, CA and was heavily involved in the Catholic church there. She was an avid bowler in the Helena ladies league well into the 1970s and a lifelong member of the East Helena VFW and ladies’ auxiliary.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 2001. Her parents, Harold and Gertrude Morgan Frazier, and sister Helen Mills (Frazier) also preceded her in death. Linda is survived by her sister Phyllis “Faye” Garrett (husband George) of Rancho Santa Margarita CA; daughter Sandee Stockdale (husband Tom) of Missoula; daughter Debbie DeMers (husband Tim) of Jefferson City; son Bill F. (wife Kathy) of East Helena; and son Joe Hrella and David Brown of Helena. Linda is also survived by her nine grandchildren Sarah Garcia (husband Mike) of Helena; Christine Cricchio (husband Kevin) of Bellingham, WA; Nicole Marks (husband Kasey) of Missoula; Vickie Gashwiler (husband John) of Missoula; Jennifer Dover (husband Dwight) of Great Falls; Daniel Bennett of East Helena; Paul Bennett of Helena; Matt Bennett (wife Claire) of Seattle, WA; Barbara Hrella of East Helena; and ten great-grandchildren Samantha Garcia of Bozeman and Nicholas & Jacob Garcia of Helena; Caleb and Luke Cricchio; Quay Smith-Bennett of Helena; Madison Route of Helena; Ellie and Maggie Gashwiler of Missoula; Elora, John and Alia Dover of Great Falls. Linda is also survived by countless nephews, nieces, and great-nephews and great-nieces of the Morgan-Frazier clan in southern California.
A memorial service celebrating Linda’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 29, 2019 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena with a reception to follow in the social hall of the funeral home. Linda’s ashes will be scattered at a private family ceremony at a later date. Memorials in honor of Linda are suggested to Pad for Paws Foundation, P.O. Box 287, Helena, MT 59624 or to Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Linda.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
10:00 a.m.
Friday March 29, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the celebration of life
Friday March 29, 2019
Social hall of the funeral home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
10:00 a.m.
Friday March 29, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the celebration of life
Friday March 29, 2019
Social hall of the funeral home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Nettie T says
Joe and Bill… thank you for the opportunity to take care of your beautiful mother. She truly touched my heart every time I saw her. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Nettie
Mary Kay Bennett says
What a lovely & gracious lady..I always looked forward to seeing her when I had my haircut at Hair-Hair.
shared.
Joe adored his mom! We can celebrate a life well lived.
And much love
Judith Mills says
Aunt Linda…lovely and loving, always there as my second mother. I will carry memories of time with you deep in my heart, and I will carry my love for you in my soul. The Creator greets you, gladly. Be at peace, little mother, and give Uncle Bill a kiss for me!
Ken Sargent says
Joe and family, so sorry for your loss. Prayers and positive thoughts from our home to yours.
Suzanne Wilke says
Joe, I am very sorry to hear about your Mom. Prayers and Blessings.
Sue Wilke
Nicolle Seiller says
Joe,
My heart breaks for you. Your visits with me on Saturday mornings, were the highlight of my week. I am very proud to have known your mom. She was the classiest, and most elegant of women! And you are proof she was a beautiful person, inside and out.
My love and prayers,
Nicolle Seiller
Jeanne And Kristi says
Joe we are thinking of you! I always looked forward to seeing your mother at Christmas parties as she was such a fun positive lady!
Diane Macaraeg Langenfus says
Joe, Dave, Deb, Bill and family,
I was sad to hear of Linda’s passing especially so shortly after hearing she was I’ll. Mike and I send our deepest condolences and big hugs.
She was a lovely, fun lady
Diane & Mike Langenfus
Wendy Fox says
Linda had a sparkle about her that came from the inside out. The sparkly tops she used to wear at the yearly Christmas Open Houses at Hair Hair mirrored this inner shine! She had a kind smile for everyone who crossed her path, whether or not she was in pain that day. A true model for us all of cheerfulness and fortitude. Best of future journeys to you Dear Linda!
Jill Shea says
Joe and family. Sorry for your loss. She was a special lady. I missed seeing you and your mom for Sunday breakfast.
Leslie Buckley says
Joe and Bill
Your mother radiated kindness, joy, and love. The time I got to spend with Joe and Linda always was full of fun and laughter. She will be so missed. I send my love to you all during this difficult time and know we have another angel to look over us. She was awesome!
Linda O’Connell says
Joe and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your mothers passing. You are in my prayers.
Love to you and David
Jan Vogel says
Joe, thinking about you during this sad time. Your mom had to be a very special lady to have raised such a wonderful son. Condolences to you, David and your family.
Marci & Steve Lynn says
Debbie, Tim, Sarah, Chrissie, and family, so sorry to hear of the loss of your lovely mother/grandmother. What a classy lady she was. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mary Brydich says
Joe, Bill and Family – I am so sorry for your loss. I remember both your parents so well. Growing up on Porter Street my brother and I often stopped over at Hrella Bros. I also remember your mom well from the VFW Auxiliary. My prayers are with you and your family.
John Ulberg says
Joe and Family-
I am saddened by the passing of your Mom. Her smiling eyes and gracious smile would always be so
great to see. Sure enjoyed those chats over our shopping carts. She just had a way of brightening up
the day.
-John Ulberg
Michelle S says
Bill, Joe, Debbie & Family; I’m very sorry for your loss! It was a pleasure to have met Linda and be given the time to know and care for her. I will always remember her stories and when we would just sit and talk. She will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Michelle Scott