Louis Leroy “Skip” Songer, age 66 of East Helena, passed away from cancer on April 2, 2011. He was born to Louis and Dorothy (Atley) Songer on March 3, 1945 in Helena.
Skip attended schools in Helena and then joined the Army in 1966 through 1968. He did a tour of duty in the Vietnam War. He then worked as a bartender at variety of bars in Helena, and then went on to attend VO Tech to become a welder. Skip then became a boilermaker for 35 years. He retired from that position and then went to work for Helena Industries for five years as the Maintenance Manager; retiring for good after that.
In 1962, skip married his first wife, Betty Duchscherer. Within that union, he had three children.
He later met the love of his life, “Bonnie” (Bonita Lyn George) in 1971 and wed in 1978 in Wheatland, Wyoming. From that time they spent 40 wonderful years together of loved bliss.
Skip’s number one passion besides his family was his Harley – he attended Sturgis every year. Skip was an avid outdoorsman. He was known as a “talker” and a “collector of junk.” He belonged to the Chippewa Tribe as a Council Member Elder. He was also a member of the American Legion and a past member of ABATE.
Skip was preceded in death by his father, Louis Songer; sister, Rita Songer; and sister-in-law, Debbie Songer.
He is survived by his large and loving family, including his wife, Bonnie Songer; mother, Dorothy Atley Jungers; children, Vernida Songer, Darrell (Jeannie) Songer, Damon (Jolonda) Songer, Travis Songer, Shanna (Albert) Ledeau, and Krissy Songer; siblings, Jack Songer, Tom (Terry) Songer, Mike (Samantha) Songer, Pat (Connie) Songer, Mona (Joe) Pocha, Alice Songer, Kathy Giles, Shannon (Roy) Johnson, Sonny Sadler, and John Hazen; uncle, Chick (Jean) Songer; aunt, Madeline Songer; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He will also be greatly missed by his beloved dogs Chico and Sister.
Viewing hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 5 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will be at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Harrison. A reception will then be held at the VFW Post 10010 in East Helena immediately following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of St. Peter’s c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 E. Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Adrian Stewart says
my sincerest condolences to your family and friends during this time of sorrow. rest in peace skip…
Butch and Donna Reed says
To “Mama” Dot and all the famiy,
Please know you have our hearts. God Be with you al.
Darrell George says
The world lost a good man. We will all miss you Skip.
Debbie George says
Bonnie and Krissy: My heart goes out to you in this time of sorrow. You have a whole lifetime of memories to cherish. Skip was a great guy and you are fortunate to have spent this lifetime with him.
Delores & Ray Almanza says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Geraldine and Don Kriz says
Bonnie and family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Skip, he was your sole mate.
You have good memories, that will last a life time.
love and prayers
Geraldine and Don
Jackie Lloyd says
So sorry to hear about Skip.
Jennifer Marold says
So shocked to hear the sad news. He was a great guy. Many fond memories with the George crew.
john davis says
bonnie, my deepest sympathy on your loss of your lifetime partner. i will always rem the good times skip and i shared. he will be missed by many. always a friend of skip’s. john davis.
John Link says
To the Songer family.
May Skip rest in peace.
May his family find peace.
I am sure Skip had on hell of a ride through all of the good times and the bad.
Sincerely,
John Link
Kathy and Rick Strobel says
Bonnie and family. So sorry to hear about Skip. You are in our hearts and prayers. He was such a good Guy.
LTC Dale Fair says
“Skip” your work is done. You have given this nation a great son that will carry the tradition on…. You can now rest… God Bless!
Lynette Brass says
Bonnie, I am so sorry. I remember all the great times the 3 of us had together. Whenever I am listening to the golden oldies station and Earth Angel comes on, I think of you and Skip. I am glad we got together last summer. He will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to you and the rest of the family. My love and prayers are with you all.
Marlene Longfellow says
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mick Songer says
Love you grandpa…
Mickey Cozzie says
Dorothy and family, I am so sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts, as I can feel your sadness. Memories of Skip will continue to live in our hearts, and surface making you smile again. Love and prayers to all………Mickey
misty "racoon" jepson says
xoxoxox
Patt Jenks says
Was so glad that Skip and I were able to get his family history done, what fun he had getting his family in order. He will be missed. Had fun meeting you at the campgrounds. We were the camphosts.
Ron Geesling says
Skip was a good friend. I enjoyed the times we spent together. He will be missed.
ROSE MOORE says
SONGER FAMILY –
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT SKIP. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ALL.
ROSE MOORE
MARGIE AHERN
SHIRLEY MCMURRAY
Roxy Peterson says
Bonnie and Family we are so sorry for your loss.We will miss Skip so very much.He was truly a good man and a wonderful friend.Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.Skip we love you and are gonna miss you so much.Ride high upon the clouds on that Harley you are truly an angel looking over us all.
Steven Blomquist says
Tami Lamping says
To all of the Songer family — I am so sorry for your loss of Skip. You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Teresa Hancock & Family says
You were loved and will be missed by so many. I hope the stories & good times shared will hopefully put a smile on faces when sadness comes along from missing you… You were a great man, a phenomenal dad, wonderful husband and friend… God Bless and may you rest in peace. We were all honored and blessed to know you.
Terry Sather says
I knew Skip from his time with Helena Industries when he came to supervise employees at Rocky Mountain Development Council. It took me a time to get to know him, but he eventually was really friendly. I liked Skip alot -he was a good man. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Terry
Tim M. Laedeke says
Sorry to hear about Skip’s passing, at such a young age. I have a lot of good memories of working with Skip,Louis Jungers,Jimmy Kuhl,Dick LaFromboise and all the other Helena area Boilermakers,I worked and partied with, back in the early 70’s and 80’s. Mostly in the Colstrip construction days. He was a good man with a big heart. With Sympathy, Tim M. Laedeke
Vince Denny says
My condolences to the Sip’s family
Kylie Destiny Songer says
Grandpa, you will forever be in our heart. Know that you are never forgotten. I will think about you for ever second, of every minute, of every day. No amount of words could describe how much I love you. The day you passed away part of me died, you will live on through us. When these things happen no one understands, we just have to find our heart and know that you will be with us forever.
See you soon,
Kylie