Susan “Sue” Marie (Bisson) Vollmer passed on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 81 years old. While she will be missed by those left behind, we take comfort that she is reunited with her husband Bill, brother Dick, parents Dorothy and AJ, and friends who greeted her at the end of her journey.
Sue was born in Glendive, Montana on July 20, 1940 to AJ and Dorothy Bisson. The Bissons, which included Sue’s older brothers Roger and Dick, moved to Helena early in Sue’s childhood. Sue attended Helena High School before transferring to Cathedral High School where she graduated in 1958. Upon graduation, Sue worked as a typist at Western Life Insurance Company. In the early 60’s, Sue lived in Denver for a brief period. Although she was not there long, her time in Colorado ignited a lifelong passion for the Denver Broncos. Sue returned to Helena, working as a secretary in the State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and in the Governor’s Office under Thomas L. Judge. She served the people of Montana for a total of 27 years before retiring in 1993.
Sue married John Allen in 1964 and they had three children: daughters Judi and Jenni and son John. The family lived in Great Falls before settling in Helena. The couple later divorced and in 1986, Sue married Bill Vollmer, who she described as her “best friend.” Bill and Sue lived at Canyon Ferry Lake where they forged many close friendships, cared for a brood of Miniature Schnauzers, and hosted well-known gatherings at their home. A visit was not complete without a home cooked meal (favorites included London Broil and Viva La Chicken) followed by a concert on the deck with Bill on the accordion and Sue on spoons. Sue, always the life of the party, described these get-togethers, saying, “It’s a big crowd… but always a good time.” Sue and Bill also loved to travel; Sue was proud she had visited every state in the Continental US. Bill and Sue spent several years after retirement as “snowbirds” in Yuma, Arizona before they got tired of packing and moving twice a year. While not a fan of snow, Sue did appreciate the year round lakeside view and remarked that “God’s landscaping is truly beautiful all four seasons.”
Sue is preceded in passing by her parents, AJ and Dorothy, brother Dick, and husband Bill. She leaves behind her brother Roger and his wife Bertie (Smith) Bisson of Clancy, MT; daughter, Judi Allen, and grandsons, Brent Pilon and Travis Pilon and his wife, Kacey all of Helena; her daughter, Jenni (Allen) Byrnes and son-in-law, Dave of Saint Augustine, FL, and granddaughter, Ash Byrnes of Oklahoma City, OK; her son, John Allen and his longtime partner, Jill Boettcher of Helena, Jill’s son, Brad Boettcher and his wife Ella of Helena, and Jill’s daughter Holly Boettcher and her partner Michael Walth of Belgrade, MT; stepdaughter Vicki (Vollmer) Turner and her husband Jim of Helena, and their sons Andy Turner of Seattle, WA, and Justin Turner of the US Marine Corps; stepson Brad Vollmer, his wife Michele Landry, and their sons Nic Vollmer and Seth Vollmer of Mountain View, CA; and stepdaughter Kristi (Vollmer) Blackburn and her husband Kendall of Bellflower, CA. Sue loved her family and friends fiercely and that love was returned. Shortly before her passing, she imparted a last message: “We need to love one another and be kind.” We will miss her big heart, her sense of humor, and her spitfire personality!
The family would like to thank the staff at the Edgewood Helena for not only caring for Sue, but loving her like family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Sue’s Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Share
Dave Byrnes says
Love you Sue. I will miss it all. Our chats, your smile, your crabbiness
, your bark that was way bigger than your bite; your sense of humor, your tender heart, the music and the laughs. I’m so grateful I get to be a part of your amazing family.
Kristi Vollmer Blackburn says
She will be missed– blueberry cheesecake, Swiss Steak, and AJ’s lazy wife’s (Sue called it “lazy man’s”) meat dish were among my favorite recipes of her’s. She could have written a best selling cookbook! Her wit/humor, and that she loved my friends as family when I brought them out to the lake are among my best memories of her.
Among the many punchlines/ jokes she used to tell, I know she’s saving a seat in Heaven for each one of us.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!
Callie Morris says
I will miss Sue’s sense of humor, sass, and smile. I will especially miss her rendition of the Bruin Fight Song she so readily sang whenever someone asked. Sue was so giving, whether it be sharing her Oreos or her opinion. She gave everyone around her a listening ear and would converse with you for hours, if time allowed. I am so grateful for the time I was able to get to know her at Edgewood. She will be sorely missed.
Tommie Dahl says
If ever I was having a hard day, a few short minutes to sit and talk with Sue while at work would always add a little spark of light back into the dark day, between always being up for a laugh, and up for a good story, to always being open for a hug. There were many scenarios for parts to be played in during our many, MANY conversations over the last three years, and I was happy to play them all, along with many promises to look up answers to, just to make this amazing person smile.
I never passed up the opportunity to listen to her sing the Bruin’s Fight Song, or a chance to stop by on my days off when I’d bring one of my dogs to visit (she so loved visiting with the dogs). Her memory will always add a small spark of light to my days, and I hope that the same can be said for all who knew her. My deepest condolences to Sue’s family, and all of her friends that knew her.
Angel Ewing-Hyyppa says
Our Sue, I will miss you making me laugh daily. We never had our barbeque but it’s the thought that counts!
No longer in pain and now you can be free. On Angel’s wings Miss Sue!
Connie Erickson says
Sue was so much fun to be around; she was a real pistol! My husband and I fondly remember the parties at the lake; the wonderful food and, best of all, the entertainment. Bill on the accordion and Sue on the spoons singing the best risqué songs. Bill is waiting for you, Sue. Hope you remembered your spoons.
Kathy Strobel says
Sue will always be a shining star. Will always remember her many ‘Sueisms’. She could make anyone laught just by saying the simplest phases. There are so many memories that will stay with us forever ever. Glad you are no longer in limbo and reunited with those you loved the most. Hope you will be singing New York New York and wearing you tap shoes. Be happy my friend.
ann haverlandt says
So many memories of my sweet friend “Spacemouse”. Graduated from High School together. I think they gave us our diplomas on the promise that we would never return! Our hearts were always together and they never changed through the years. Dearly loved her and her parents, especially AJ! Until we meet again……..
Allen C Stenhjem says
Oh those were the days,thanks for the memories Sue R I P ……………
Laura McArdle says
We lived next door to Bill and Sue at Canyon Ferry Lake for nine years. What a character Sue was! We had lots of fun with them and their dogs. I will never forget the time our not-so-well-liked neighbor built a fence around our properties, blocking us off from the forest and adjoining lands. Sue stood outside, arms up in the air, swearing as loud as she could to the skies. I couldn’t quit laughing. They were good neighbors.