Michael Sass Jr., age 97 of Helena

Mike Sass Jr., age 97, of Helena, passed away October 20, 2023 at the VA Hospital in Spokane, WA.

Mike Sass, Jr. was born in the mining town of Mace, Idaho on February 21, 1926, to Josie and Mike Sass.

The family returned to Winston, Montana where Mike and his siblings all lived. Mike had his first horse before age 5. His grandfather Arthur Diehl put Mike on his first horse.

By the time Mike was 10 years of age, he could drive a team of four horses, helping his grandfather on the Diehl Ranch in Winston. Mike attended school in Townsend. When he was a teenager, he worked as a cook after school. Mike also worked on his grandfather’s ranch, teaching life lessons. His grandfather was very stern and also a hard worker.

In Winston, Mike would shoot gophers and magpies, as he got paid two cents for every gopher tail. His grandfather, Arthur Diehl showed Mike how to lead a moving target, making Mike a sharpshooter.

During the Great Depression on the ranch, being a good shot was an important skill for survival. The family had workers who stayed at the house, they had no money. A deer or an antelope, was great food and nutrition along with garden vegetables, homemade bread, pies, cakes. Additional money was earned from selling milk from cows they owned.

Mike had lots of adventures growing up and into his later years; from work in Butte mines, selling newspapers, hitchhiking to Helena, meeting up with his father on different ventures. Thirty-one days prior to his 17^th birthday Mike was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps. He and four Townsend friends went to Butte to enlist. There was no doubt in Mike’s mind about his decision to serve. Mike said, “Everybody wanted to go, everybody was a patriot then.

Mike’s childhood was the perfect training to become a gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. Mike’s skill as a marksman made him most useful to the Air Corps as an instructor on the 50-caliber machine gun. Mike always said, “His military experience was always an important part of his life. The military made Mike a man. Mike talked about how in the military he became acquainted with guys he would never forget. It was like a brotherhood.

Mike was always willing to help his fellow veterans. Since becoming a licensed real estate broker in 1964 he’s served his fellow soldiers and sailors for free. He would never take a commission from a veteran. He would just help them get a house.

Mike also helped his fellow veterans in other ways. He’d say, “If you see somebody needs something, you help them out”. “Mike’s Motto”

Every Veteran’s Day he felt immense pride in his heart. America is the greatest country in the world. There’s never been anything like it. We’ve got to keep it going. Mike wished the whole world was like it!

Mike was successful in all of his business adventures and worked hard all his life until the age of 94. Michael Sass Adventures would be a best seller book. Signed, Evelyn Sass

Mike and Betty Wickersheim were married in 1946, 62 wonderful years together. They were members of the First Christian Church since, 1946. Betty passed away on August 18, 2008.

During Mike’s working career, he worked for the Mountain Bell telephone company, yellow pages sales for Helena and the surrounding towns; he was a car lot owner in Townsend; Mountain Abstract Home Sales in Helena, Bill Diehl Real Estate and Iseman Homes. On March 27, 2010, Mike and Evelyn “Evy” Knudson married in Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho.

Mike loved to travel, visiting many countries. He enjoyed going on cruises throughout his life (44 plus). Mike had many dogs he loved and cherished during his life; his companion dog Casper passed away in July 2023.

Mike was a Master Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, the Algeria Shrine, Royal Order of Jesters, and a life member of the American Legion Post #2. He was a Gidion for many years and a member of the Helena Trail Riders. He had a great love for fast cars and trucks. Mike was a champion golfer in his early days, even golfing at celebrity events. Mike enjoyed big band music. He was still gainfully employed by Iseman Homes in Helena until 2020 and was offered to take a job attached leave of absence by management until the COVID Crisis leveled out. A debilitating fall ended Mike’s driving and working career in 2021 at the age of 95.

In addition to his wife Betty in 2008; Mike was preceded in death by his sisters, Judy Zuroff, Mary Jane Anstine, Annabelle “Muggs” Bridgewater; and brother, Ed Mantel. He is survived by his wife, Evy; stepson, Courtney and step grandchildren, Michelle, and Brian; sister, Dorothea “Dot” Gilbert of Helena and several nieces and nephews extended relatives and friends.

Mike passed away at the VA Hospital in Spokane Washington, October 20, 2023, where he had been doctoring and cared for by his wife Evy for the past 3 years, the lower elevation helped Mike’s COPD and lung rehabilitation.

A funeral service celebrating Mike’s life will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A reception will follow in the social center of the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be at Montana State Veteran Cemetery at Ft. Harrison. Memorials in Mike’s name is suggested to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital C/O The Algeria Shrine, 15 N. Jackson Street Helena, Montana 59601.

Service Schedule

Celebration of His Life

11:00 a.m.

Thursday November 2, 2023

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Reception

Following the service

Thursday November 2, 2023

Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Burial with Military Honors

Following the reception

Thursday November 2, 2023

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Fort Harrison, Montana 59636

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