Today the world seems a little colder with the passing of our dear friend. Tove Anne Blaedel died peacefully in her home early on the morning of April 30, 2013. She brought a friendly, polite dignity to our world and she will be greatly missed
Tove was born on September 16, 1931 on a small farm in Denmark. She grew up during the Nazi occupation thus learning how to do without many of the things we now take for granted. In 1953, wanting to go to a foreign country and learn another language, she traveled to England and worked as a nanny for 14 months. She returned to Demark to begin college, studying teacher education. From 1963 to 1968 she taught in Denmark and traveled extensively.
In 1967 she married the love of her life, Kai Blaedel (a resistance fighter during the occupation). In 1968 they immigrated to the United States and settled in Helena.They were very proud of obtaining their citizenship in 1974. Tove began teaching in the Helena District and in 1984 she was honored to be named Teacher of the Year. She retired in 1993. She was loved by the school children and neighborhood children alike.
Tove loved to paint and became quite accomplished over the years. Receiving a hand painted greeting card or a special place card at a dinner party was a royal treat for her friends.
Tove was preceded in death by her husband Kai, her sister, Inger and two brothers, Erik and Gunner. She is survived by her brother Knud (and Tove) Hansen, several beloved nieces and nephews and a host of friends who loved her dearly.
A special thank you to her fabulous caregivers, Sharlene Fleck and Monica Smith; friends, June and John Dalzell; and the nurses at Frontier Home Health and Hospice.
Cremation has taken place and Tove will be buried with her husband in Denmark. A Celebration of Life Gathering will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 6, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Banquet Hall. Burial will take place at a later date in Denmark. Memorials are suggested to Frontier Hospice, 800 Front St., Helena, MT 59601.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday May 6, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday May 6, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
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Shirley Chovanak says
My family and I were neighbors of Tove and Kai from 1971 until 1995. They were like my children’s grandparents. Our older daughter Courtney was very, very attached to Tove and our youngest son Adam adored Kai, and named his own son “Kai” in honor of him.
They were wonderful neighbors and enjoyed learning our traditions as much as sharing their own from Denmark.
We miss them but know they are at peace.
Bobbi and Dean Rognrud says
Our family lived in the house next door to Tove from 1995 until 2010. Our daughters, Robyn, Ravyn, and Gina and our son, Chris, grew up spending nearly every day of their summers over at Tove’s house. They made wonderful board games together, spent hours painting watercolor masterpieces, and baked bread. Tove was their very special and beloved friend.
Tove was a very gracious hostess. We spent numerous special Christmas Eve’s at her house. One time we caroled through our small neighborhood with Tove taking the lead and singing merrily. She loved to paint, and shared that interest with our children. Her watercolors were absolutely lovely. We have many of those little watercolor cards tucked away in our memory boxes. As we have many, many wonderful memories of Tove tucked away in our hearts. We will miss you, Tove. Thank you for gracing our lives with your kindness and friendship.
Ron Iverson says
I was fortunate to visit with Tove a little bit last fall, and some through the winter. Tove was very much fun to talk to, and always had a big smile and enjoyed conversing. I remembered Kai and Tove from several years ago when I had them insured, and always had a high respect for Kai and Tove. Tove had so many friends who looked after her and kept up with her, and Doretta, you certainly are an angel. And I know Monica and Sherlene made her life more comfortable in her final months, so “Miss Tove” was blessed by all of you–and you by her.
Gina Zapata says
Tove was truly one of the most wonderful, kind hearted people I have ever met. She was like a grandmother to me. She made a special “fort” for my sisters and I in the clearing between our Russian Olive trees and her juniper bushes. We picked lilacs all summer long, painted pictures, had picnics, made board games, wrote stories, colored with her special “smelly” markers, learned danish songs, played telephone and I’m going on a trip, baked bread and ebleskiver and napolean pastries. I had such a rich childhood because of Tove. She means so much to me. I love you, Tove and I will miss you!