Richard (Dick) J. Bourquin, passed away on Thursday afternoon, April 27th, 2023 at home. Dick was born to Arthur E. and Esther Moore Bourquin on March 16, 1944 in Helena, Montana, at St. John’s Hospital. Dick will be missed dearly by his friends and family.
His family lived in Marysville and he attended Marysville grade school. The family then moved to Helena and he graduated from Helena High School in 1962. He joined the Montana National Guard with some of his buddies in July of 1962 and spent 6 years serving the State of Montana. Dick was a Helena Valley kid and worked for Martins IGA one of the popular employers in the valley for kids and young adults.
While working at Martins IGA, Dick met the love of his life Karen. They went on a double date with one of his best friends in 1965 and the rest is history. They were married on July 30th, 1966. In that same year Dick and Karen built their family home in the Helena Valley where they lived until his passing. Dick truly enjoyed spending time with his family.
Dick and Karen had one son Michael Bourquin in September of 1968. In 1973 Dick joined the West Valley Volunteer Fire Department, where he and Karen made life-long friends who they still have contact with today. He was very proud of his 15 year career on West Helena Valley Fire Department. In October of 1987, his son Mike was able to join the fire department and they were able to respond to calls together.
Dick left Martins IGA to go work for the State of Montana for Fish, Wildlife and Parks where he had a great 31 year career and retiring as supervisor of the Print Shop and Mail Room. Dick and Karen spent many weekends camping during the summers with their Fire Department friends. Dick truly enjoyed and loved to camp. Every August, Dick and Karen and the Fire Department friends spent a week at Holland Lake where there was much laughter and mischief raised. He enjoyed and loved all of his camping buddies.
Dick is preceded in death by his Mom, Dad, Sister Sandra, and Brother Arthur, Sister-in-law Sharon Butler, and Brother-in-Law Jimmy LaValley. Dick is survived by his wife Karen of 56 years, Son Mike, (Stacy), grandchildren Jordan, Hailey, and Seth (Amber) Bourquin, great grandchildren Stetson and Dawson, Sister-in-Law Kristie LaValley, and nephews Tom (Gayle) Butler, Brandon (Corinne) LaValley, and Sean (Tijana) LaValley and many great nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 4th at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Road. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial will follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to West Valley Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 4024, Helena, MT 59604.
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 3, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Celebration of Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday May 4, 2023
Our Lady Of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of Life
Thursday May 4, 2023
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
1:45 p.m.
Thursday May 4, 2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 3, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Celebration of Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday May 4, 2023
Our Lady Of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of Life
Thursday May 4, 2023
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
1:45 p.m.
Thursday May 4, 2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Share
Barb and Ron Marcoux says
Keeping you all in our prayers and sending much love.
Dick will be missed terribly! He was a fine man and a joy to work with!
Barb and Ron Marcoux
Phylis Shanahan says
Karen my thoughts and prayers are with you. Big hugs. I’m so sorry this makes me sad. God be with you.
Marie Engstedt says
Karen, Mike and family, Please accept my heartfelt sympathy at this difficult time. You will be in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days. Sending warm hugs your way. ❤️
Norm & Darlene Scott says
Karen, Mike and Family, Our hearts are broken about Dick’s passing. There has never been a nicer man on earth Heaven truly has received a special angel. May your many precious memories help to carry you through this very sad time.
Norm & Darlene Scott
Kevin Bartsch says
Mike and Family- Very sorry for your loss. Kevin Bartsch
Karen Lundin says
Karen & Mike, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
Karen Lundin
Linda Netschert says
Karen & Mike,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda
Jonathan Weigum says
So very sorry for your loss Karen. Praying that peace be with you during this most difficult time.
Karen vaillancourt says
My thoughts are with you. It sounds like you were both fortunate to find each other and have a wonderful life together. Please take care of yourself it easy to get too tired trying to do too much. Hugs
John Cherie Dahl says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Karen and the rest of the family in this time of sorrow. Dick was my classmate and I was one of his buddies on the 5 day train 🚂 ride to Army basic training in Fort Ord, CA. 🙏
Lynn Hanson says
He was a great neighbor and friend for many years. My father enjoyed him at fish wildlife job. He will be truly missed. Prayers to the family!!! Lynn Hanson
Jim & Jan Weber says
Karen, Mike and family. All of you are in our prayers that God will keep you in the palm of his hand and fill you with peace and healing in this time of sorrow. Wish we could be there to help in any way needed. May God bless you all.
Jan and Jim Weber
Colleen Rogan says
Karen and family. Sending thoughts and prayers to you during this sad time. Colleen Rogan
Jerry Crum says
Sorry for your loss mike
Sharon Baker Heigh says
Our thoughts, prayers, hugs and love are with all of you! Dick will be missed by all that knew him.
Sharon Baker Heigh
Brian and Sue Berg says
Brian and I are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Nora and Tom says
Karen and Mike, I am so very sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. I’m sure him and Uncle Roger are catching up. God bless and big hugs to you both.
NAN LEFEBVRE says
Mike and family, I am so sorry for your loss.
Debbie Jo Berrier says
Oh Jaren, I’m just so sorry for your loss. You will miss him so much. I truly believe he is in heaven and you will meet again. You are covered in prayers. Xoxox
Shuggie
Debbie Thares says
Karen I am so sorry for your loss. Concentrate on all your good memories. You had a wonderful life together. Sending hugs your way
Laurie Kops says
Karen and family…please know I’m holding you close as you grieve your loss. May Dick rest in peace until you meet again. Much love to you all.
Don Bartsch says
Thanks, Dick, for helping me get going at FWP with Jay Lightbody and yourself. We had fun when you returned from retirement to help get things in order. After you left (again) you would always stop and check on Jay and I from time to time. After Jay’s retirement you would call once a month or so just to check in, I enjoyed every conversation, they were rarely about work.
RIP my friend.
Don