Mae Tilton, age 90, of Helena

Amelia Mae Tilton passed away peacefully at the age of 90 while in the company of family on January 25, 2018, due to complications from congestive heart failure. Mae was the first of nine children born on January 3, 1928 to Clarence and Mary (Bondurant) Gilbertson, of Kalispell.  Mae graduated from Flathead High in 1946 and soon after married WWII veteran Lloyd G. Tilton.

Soon after their marriage they moved to Eugene, OR as Lloyd began his carpentry career, building post-war America and contributing to the baby boom with the birth of son, Ray. The Oregonian penchant for working in unceasing rain and running for cover at the first sight of snow persuaded the young family to return to the familiarity of snow shovel wielding Kalispellians.  Mae put her shorthand and accounting skills to work at the Harry Ish law office as Lloyd girded the pilings and concrete forms of the Hungry Horse dam.  Sons, Dennis and Vern were soon following Ray around west Kalispell.  The family followed the construction trail to Missoula and Galen before moving to Helena in 1959.  Mae’s caregiving talents were needed in North Dakota as sister-in-law Dorothy (Lyle) and nephew Howard Tilton were stricken on the same day with polio.  Mae and Lloyd cared for and soon adopted Lyle and Dot’s baby son, Don.  Their fifth son, Tim, came along some time later, in Generation X packaging.

Mae began her more formal career in Helena, working for the IRS until the office relocated to Ogden, UT. She then worked as a claims adjudicator for the Veterans Administration, retiring in 1986.  She continued her Disciples of Christ upbringing in Helena’s First Christian Church, ensuring her children were trained in the Lord’s teachings as she served as teacher, Deaconess, Elder, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Mae’s family was the core of her strength and being. Her five boys were raised in the bond of closeness of her parents and of the families of her eight siblings.  Eighty-plus-member family reunions have been her triannual delight.

Mae loved each of her daughters-in-law and delighted in spoiling, watching, and spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mae was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lloyd, sister Peggy Burgess, and brothers, Col. LeRoy Gilbertson and Harold Gilbertson, PhD. She is survived by Ray and Ginny of Chico, CA, Dennis and Darlene of Livingston, Vern and Marla of Chubbuck, ID, Don and Tana of Billings, Tim and Ann of Helena, nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.  Her surviving siblings and in-laws are Mary Lou (Jack) Basham, Jim (Loanna) Gilbertson, Teddy (Donna) Gilbertson, Larry (Marie) Gilbertson and Janice (Larry) McMillan, Regina Gilbertson, and Virginia Gilbertson.

Her memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, at the First Christian Church, 311 Power Street, in Helena with a reception following. A graveside service and burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 5, at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.

The family is very appreciative of the professional care given at St. Peters Hospital, the dedicated, attentive care offered by the staff at The Legacy, and the loving, tender care provided by St. Peter’s Hospice nursing and assistance caregivers. The family requests donations in Mae’s honor be made to the Hospice of St. Peters Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 or the First Christian Church, 311 Power St., Helena, MT 59601.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

11:00 a.m.

Saturday February 3, 2018

First Christian Church

311 Power St.

Helena, Montana 59601

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Luncheon

Following the memorial service

Saturday February 3, 2018

First Christian Church

311 Power St.

Helena, Montana 59601

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Burial

10:00 a.m.

Monday February 5, 2018

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Fort Harrison, Montana

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