RISPENS, Sidney H., age 83 of Helena passed away February 16, 2021. Viewing will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 20 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Private family services will be held at a later date.
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday February 20, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday February 20, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Arlyn and Pearle Plowman says
Grace and family,
Please accept condolences from Arlyn, Pearle and our girls at the loss of such a special man. He was a a blessing to his entire family and a host of friends and acquaintances. Sid surely will be missed.
May the Peace and the Consolation of the Lord be with you all as you grieve and look forward to the reunion in Heaven one day.
Mike & Diana says
Rispen family,
Thinking of you with love & prayers. May the Lord put His loving arms around you and bring comfort! Sid was a great guy and I know he will be missed by many.
Mike & Diana Hall
Owen Letcher says
Family
Thinking of all the wonderful memories that include Sid. Camping at the lake, helping out at the farm, working on projects, sledding and snowmobiling. I can still hear the song (accompanied by the axe on the tailgate) around the campfire. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family and will miss sharing stories and memories with you all.
Shawna Deadmond says
Rispen Family
I am so sorry for your loss. Sid had such a wonderful laugh and I remember him well from Buttrey’s. Whenever mom and I were shopping he made a point to stop and say hello. Dad and my brothers worked with him for many years and had some great Buttrey stories!
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Shawna (House) Deadmond
Peter and Michelle Van Nice says
So sorry for your loss – keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Joan Stewart Stocker says
Dear Rispen family,
Garry and I are sorry for your loss. From babysitting you boys to working with your dad at Buttreys, and being neighbors for years, it was always nice to be a small part of the family.
Sid not only made sure to show how much his family meant to him but he was a great leader to the “Buttrey family.” I have many good memories of Sid or Mr. Rispen as we called him at work.
Once again, our most sincere sympathy, love and prayers to all.
Rick Pyfer says
Dear Rispens Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve and celebrate the life of this fantastic man, your husband, dad, grandpa Sid. Sid was a very active member of our Helena Kiwanis Club for many years while running Buttreys. He and his neighborhood gang of Bill Walker, Roger Scott and Jim Christnacht sat up front together at the same table at our weekly meetings and were their own Kiwanis bowling team when I formed a l4 team Service Club late shift Wed. Bowling league at Sleeping Giant Lanes to support my Dad and Paul Kleffner’s new business. They were a hoot! And, of course the yodling Sid and lots of questionable bowling prowess from the lot brought fun and many great memories. Sadly, I didn’t see Sid much after but have always been impressed by the two boys I know Tom and Dan who are apples who didn’t fall far from the tree. Excellent community servants, business and administrative workers and tremendous citizens of our community. The life model Sid provided to all who knew him, particularly you all his family set a high bar for character, service and commitment. He will be greatly missed. God Bless you all as you grieve his passing. My thoughts and prayers, and surely the thoughts and prayers of all fellow Kiwanians who enjoyed his bright smile and civic engagement during his membership there are sent to you all for your peace and comfort at this difficult time of mourning Sid’s passing.
Steve & Janet Colberg says
Dear Grace and the Rispen Family,
We are all blessed by you and dear Sid. We remember all the happy times in church together and sharing friendships at church camp and through the school years with your boys, especially Mark.
Love & God’s Peace,
Steve & Janet Colberg, Jason & Joshua
Jim McCormick says
Rispens Family,
Please know that you are in my prayers and pray for the repose of Sid’s soul.
Sid was one-of-a-kind. He was one of the most hard working people I knew in my early years. I will forever remember him as the assistant manager at Buttrey’s in Shelby who didn’t walk anywhere. He made sure all of us ‘box boys’ ran from stocking shelves to box groceries when the checkers called for carry out. He ran a tight ship but would give me a break sometimes to ‘candle’ eggs in the cubby hole in the stockroom. He was tough, and fair. Thanks, Sid.
Jim
Dick Schultz says
Grace and Family, Our prayers are with you guys after hearing of Sid’s passing. Will always remember the good times we have had over the years, esp. in Yuma and on our decks in Helena. Sid would entertain us in both places with his yodeling. (once even on the golf course in Yuma) We always seemed to end up with our alike views about politics!!We will miss him!! Dick and Lori
Tom Hanson says
Sid Rispens
How can I even think about putting into words the effect that this man had on my life. I just want to say that Sid changed my life. I was a young man working as a stock clerk at Buttrey’s store #24 in Helena when Sid came from Shelby to be our new manager. Sid recognized something in me that I didn’t know I had. My success at Buttrey’s paved the way for my successes later in the creation of One Way Marine and Waterski Mania in the Helena Valley. Had it not been for my association with Sid none of these things would have come to fruition. The true measure of a man in my opinion is defined by his children. I was so lucky to have employed 3 out of the four boys. They were the best employees I ever had. Their work ethic and character exemplified that of their father. Les, Tom, Mark, and Dan God be with you in this difficult time. And Grace peace be with you. There are perhaps two or three people who affect us in our lives who give us direction, inspiration, and purpose. Sid you were one of those in my life. I send my prayers and thanks to the Rispen family. You all have made the world a better place.
R.I.P. Sid
Tommy Hanson
YWCA Helena says
Jon – so sorry to read about your Grandpa. May memories take away some of the sorrow for him being gone, and remind you that you will always carry him with you. Take Care Bud, – Tyzer’s Mom – Sharon Pelletier
Rick and Diana Hartinger says
I will remember my uncle Sid for many reasons but the that has and always will stand out in my mind is how every time he would see me he would sing Oh Diana sung by Paul Anka at my wedding 30 years to and I always blushed 😊❤️ Our thoughts are with you all lots of Love from our family to yours ❤️❤️❤️
Sharon Peterson says
So sorry for your loss of Sid. I knew him when I used to shop at Buttrey’s in Helena. He would greet customers with his big smile. One always felt like a valued person! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. He will be greatly missed.
Sharon Peterson
Walt & Norine Joyce says
Rispens Family,
So sorry for the loss of Sid. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. It was always a joy to see Sid and Grace come to church as he speedily wheeled in through the entry way. It was a great fun to see such an upbeat guy; always with a smile. He will be missed!
Jan Baker says
So sorry for your loss. What I remember most was that Sid could make you feel happy simply because you knew him.
Rose Moore says
Grace and family,
I remember all the good times we had during the old Buttery days. I enjoyed working with Sid. We worked hard, laughed and of course had a few parties. Many people passed through the Buttery store as employees, vendors and customers and Sid made an impression on them. He will be missed by a lot of people especially his family. My thoughts are with you all.
Rose Moore
Darien G Scott says
Dear Grace and sons,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. I will always remember Sid’s twinkling blue eyes and smile. We were so fortunate to move into such a great neighborhood when we first came here.
God Bless,
Leo Rozema says
To my dear sister, Grace, and my nephews and their families. I remember this young guy and this red FORD two-door who came across the border every Saturday to court, my sister. he told me that after a number of stops and conversations with the border people, they waved him on and he never had to stop anymore. He quickly became a favorite member of the Rozema family and our world became larger and now included the U.S.A! I treasure the memories of the visits we made to you all coming from Ontario and getting to Montana by a different east-west highway every time. we have traveled them all except, I think, the one from Florida over Louisiana and Texas. The rule was to go south to pick up the highway the go west until you were under Montana and then find your way north to Grace and Sid’s place. We were always welcome and we never forget the generous well come we received from Sid and Grace. Old age has separated us too long lately. Our traveling days are done but the fond memories remain. May you all be blessed by the” peace that surpasses all understanding”. Uncle Leo.
Dawna M Pace says
I’m very sorry for your loss, I know how hard it is to loss a loved one to heath problems. My thoughts and prayers are with Mark Rispens and family in their time off sorrow and loss of a loved one.
Sharon Redpath says
Grace & family,
I was so sorry to see that we lost our sweet & kind Sid. He had such a great personality & everyone loved him. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Please know that I am here for you if you need anything. God bless you Grace!
I will always remember all the fun times on the Turcotte patio!
Scott Moe says
Rispens Family,
So sorry for the loss of Sid. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. One of my first jobs was working under Sid at Buttreys, and had a lot of respect for him as he cared for his employees, which is rare these days!!
He truly will be missed by all who had the chance to know him.
Merris (Tilton) Pincsak says
Rispens Family,
My memories of Sid are of a tall, happy man in a blue suit who was one of my favorite adults from church. No matter how close we sat, I could always hear him singing the hymns with pure joy. When I was an awkward middle schooler, Sid taught a Bible class focused around different religious beliefs and how they compared to our Biblical-based theologies. He was an excellent teacher. As an adult, I still remember some of the wisdoms he taught us. He was one of the special ones and I have no doubt he is basking in the glory of being with Jesus. I’m so glad he was a part of my life as a young person. Thank you, Sid.
Caroline Fisher says
I got out of the motor home, parked in the farthest part of the parking lot so my astute prey would not recognize that we had arrived. I walked into Buttrey’s, alert for a glimpse of him, gazing into the deli case, feeling a head of lettuce, squeezing a peach, gliding my hands along the cans of food on the shelves, still not seeing him. I would recognize him, the question was would he recognize me? It had been a long time, at least ten years or so since I had seen him. I had grown up in the mean time from an 18 year old to the person I was now. I kept walking, still no sign of him. Eventually I thought, if this does not end soon, I will be accused of theft or loitering. The next employee, I saw a approached and asked stiffly to speak to the store manager. Then I waited, tension mounting, would he recognize me, how could he not, and yet…. HE walked up, in all his charming, blustery glory with that Sidney Rispen smile. He was accompanied by the person I had complained to as well as another management type person. I started in right away, I did not know the last time I had been in a store this unkempt, there were vegetables in the produce department that were substandard, the meat appeared to be going off and the place was just a mess. He did NOT recognize me, and I was running out of things to gripe about in this beautifully kept store. So I threw in the clinker, In INDIANA grocery stores were far superior to this store. A dawning look came across his face and he said, “you little witch” as had grabbed me in to a huge hug and kiss. The looks on his employees faces were priceless. I still wonder what wag going through their minds. I have to say that is one of my favorite memories of my Uncle Sid, though there are many, that one is uniquely mine alone.
He did get me back. AND I recognize that just now as I type. Oh, I will always remember his coming into the Emergency Department that I was managing and yodeling at the top of his voice as I was trying to be all managerly. Yep he did get me back. And yodel he did, it was part of his charm, though it could also be a bit embarrassing as he was an indiscriminate yodeler. Mom still talks about how the he would yodel early in the morning in the bunkhouse on the farm when they were young. The first thing I did when he passed was to make sure I still had my recording of him. He and Aunt Grace came to my moms 80th birthday party and of course he yodeled especially for her.
When I was a tiny girl, I was so spoiled, I had an amazing daddy, but when we went to Montana my daddy was in SUCH a good mood as we prepared. I didn’t really understand the concept of vacation then and did not until I was much older. I am not sure if it was that we were going on vacation or if he was going to get to see the brothers of his heart. Regardless he was SO happy to be going. When we got there there were these three amazing, beautiful, doting uncles waiting to spoil me. I felt like a princess and always felt (I know I am not unique in this, it was said loud and clear at the funeral and isn’t that amazing?) like that even when Deb, Roxy and even eventually (and by now I am a gown woman) even Jennifer came along. He just had that gift.
I guess he knows now, but I doubt that Uncle Sid even knew that I finally got my ass out of the water on skis. He was so patient with my gangly but awkward teenager self, trying over, and over and over again to teach me how to ski. As wonderful as he was my Dad was not the most patient man in the world when he was ( I accidentally wrote “dying” which was probably closer to the truth , he was just trying to share something he loved but…..) trying to teach you something. But Uncle Sid just kept swinging back around and directing one of my poor beleaguered cousins to throw the rope back at me, patient and cheerful the whole time.
I think my one regret is that I think he took secrets with him about my mother and their young selves, nothing serious, just interesting tidbits and are gone to me now, as clearly she is not telling on her self. Over dinner one evening at my house with my parents, Uncle Sid and Aunt Grace, Jodi and I, he started telling stories as only a Rispen can and she cut him off quick and definitely, I wonder, and if there is any link between heaven and earth, question # 1 for Uncle Sid when we all meet again will, be: ‘What did you not get to tell me about mother? ‘