Louis E. Perhay
November 12, 1925 – February 9, 2022
Louis Edward Perhay passed away peacefully on February 9, 2022, at the age of 96 after a brief illness. Louis was born in East Helena, Montana on November 12, 1925 to Alice (Cvar) and Louis Perhay. He was the first of four children, including sisters Marge, Norma, and Jeanette. He attended St. Ann’s Catholic School in East Helena through eighth grade and graduated from Helena High School in 1943. While attending high school, he was employed part-time with the Western Life Insurance company.
After his high school graduation, Louis entered the Navy in 1943. Louis was deployed in the Pacific arena and was discharged from the Navy in 1946. Upon his return, Louis was re-employed with Western Life Insurance. Additionally, Louis joined the Air Force Reserve and spent 12 months in Iceland. He worked for Western Life Insurance as an accountant, including a transfer to the St. Paul, MN area, until 1967 at which time the family returned to Helena. Louis continued to work as an accountant for firms in Helena and in Missoula. He and his wife, Bessie, retired to Seeley Lake and enjoyed 13 years there before returning to East Helena.
On April 10, 1948 Louis married Bessie Lou Wickersheim. They raised four sons, Robert, James, David, and Christian, and two daughters, Jean and Amy.
Louis enjoyed puttering around in his woodworking shop and, when climate and location permitted, growing large vegetable gardens.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Bessie, sisters Marge Burgess, Norma Screnar, and Jeanette Kelly, daughter Jean (Perhay) Bernstein, niece Nancy (Burgess) Hopkins. Louis is survived by sons, Robert of Butte, James (Lorilyn) of Eureka, MT, David (Oliver) of Chicago, and Christian (Marie) of Rochester, MN; and daughter, Amy Perhay of Bothel, WA. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jason Redfern, Nathaniel Perhay, Kailey Harmon and Lindsey Creek and greatgrandchildren, Mia Redfern, Leon Redfern, Emmerich Harmon, Eloise Harmon, Ananias Harmon, Naomi Harmon, and Reese Harmon and numerous Burgess, Screnar, and Kelly nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great, great nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the kind and caring staff at Touchmark for their support in the final weeks as well as Encompass Hospice for their compassionate care.
A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, April 4th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception to follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Louis’s name are suggested to an organization of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
Noon
Monday April 4, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Motana 59602
Luncheon
1:00 p,m, to 2:00 p.m.
Monday April 4, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Luncheon
Monday April 4, 2022
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
Noon
Monday April 4, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Motana 59602
Luncheon
1:00 p,m, to 2:00 p.m.
Monday April 4, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Luncheon
Monday April 4, 2022
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Edward Perhay says
Hello
My name is Edward J. Perhay Jr. My family comes from La Salle Illinois and left there in 1955 to live in Napa California. My dad was born in late March 1923. He too was in the Navy during WWII and his dad was a zinc miner. He also liked to do woodworking. hunting and fishing. The picture I sent to the Funeral Home page was when my dad was about 42 years old. I do not know if we are related, but as you know the last name is very unique. One of my 5 sisters did a family tree search a few years ago, however I’m not sure if we learned all the connections throughout the country. My dad died in 2000. Regardless, I’m sorry for your loss.
Catherine says
I’m a former nurse of Louie’s and all I can say is what a kind and gentle soul he was. Love to his family.
Audrey Kelly says
Sending thoughts and prayers to the entire Perhay family. God Bless.