Ruth Thea Schmidt, age 91, of Helena

Ruth Thea Schmidt, 91, of Helena went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 5, 2013 lovingly surrounded by her family.  She was born on December 7, 1921 in Shovel Lake, MN to Joseph and Katherine (O’Brien) Granby.

 Mom and her family moved to Montana at a very early age, traveling to Marysville, Basin, Wicks, Jefferson City, Butte, Radersburg (to name a few) and settled in Helena, as Grandpa Joe was a hard rock miner.  They lived in several areas of Helena.   Mom always told us, laughingly, that when the rent was due, it was time to move!

 Mom attended local schools and graduated from Helena High School in 1940. She often recalled her times in school in the very cold railroad cars after the 1935 earthquake.

 In 1939, Ruth met the love of her life, Byron (Bonny) Schmidt. They were married June 24, 1939 in Roundup, Montana and spent nearly 66 years together until Bonny’s death in June 2005.  Their love produced seven children, losing Raymond as an infant.

 In 1946, Mom and Dad ranched at the foot of McDonald Pass.   Life wasn’t easy for the Schmidt family living in a four room log cabin with no running water or electricity for the first few years there.  They moved to the “home place” near the Kessler Brewery in 1958.

 In addition to raising her six children, Ruth worked for the State of Montana and 1^st National Bank.  She enjoyed playing cards and bowling with the girls. Mom loved tending to her flower gardens, collecting fine china and of course spending time with her children and grandchildren.

 She is survived by her, children, Marion Alberts, Helena; Judy (Dale) Gardner, Helena; Dale (Linda) Schmidt, Billings; Jay (Marta) Schmidt, Helena; ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.  Ruth is also survived by brothers Kenny Granby (Helena), Russell Granby (Prineville, OR); sisters Dorthy Lindgren (Aitken, MN), Josephine Blanich (Deerwood, MN) and several nieces and nephews.

 Mom’s great sense of humor, loving smile, hugs, caring ways and the long conversations across the kitchen table will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sons, David, Steven and Raymond; David’s wife, Kay; Steve’s wife, Sherry; sister Margie Branch; brother, Donald and grandson, Jason.

 The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff of the Behavioral Health Unit at St. Peter’s Hospital for the outstanding compassion and care Mom and her family received.  They went above and beyond, and the Schmidt family will be forever grateful.

 The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave.  Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 14, 2013 at the funeral home. A reception will immediately follow the funeral service in the reception hall at the funeral home. Burial will follow the reception at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to McLaughlin Research Institute for Alzheimer Research at 1520 23^rd St South, Great Falls, MT  59405 or www.mclaughlinresearch.org. 

Service Schedule

Family and Friends Service

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friday September 13, 2013

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, MT 59602

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Funeral Service

1:00 p.m.

Saturday September 14, 2013

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, MT 59602

View map

Reception

Following the funeral service

Saturday September 14, 2013

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, MT 59602

View map

Burial

Following the reception

Saturday September 14, 2013

Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery

Helena, MT 59602

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