Helen Terry Beeson, 80, passed away quietly of luekemia in the early morning hours of June 3, 2008, at her home in Virgelle, with family members at her side.
She was born Dec. 8, 1927, to Dutch immigrants Eizoo and Neislena Broesder on a ranch near Conrad. Helen completed high school in Conrad, before moving to Virgelle with her parents. Helen was born the youngest of six children, and laughed about how her dad was her midwife. On the stormy winter day she was born, her parents sent for a local midwife, but by the time she got there, Helen had already arrived and was lying in an apple box on the bed. Helen was a faithful and respectful daughter and joined her parents in a ranching venture along the Missouri River near Virgelle. Helen always considered it to be her life and home her little piece of heaven on earth. While riding her horse one day down by the ferry, she met Glen Terry, a young man from the other side of the river. They fell in love, and married on Nov. 11, 1944. Helen and Glen had nine children together during their 40 years. Glen passed away in February 1985. Some time later Helen went blueberry picking with long-time family friend Murten Beeson and married him within that same year. Murten proved to be a good companion for the next seven years until his passing in 1992. Helen’s life on earth was lived to the fullest and filled with the things she loved best. She was always more interested in talking with visitors than anything else and always had time to listen to a story, or tell one of her own. Helen enjoyed farm and ranch life and the opportunity to be around horses. She loved to paint from photographs, play the accordion and drive the tractor in the fields. She traveled by horseback to the Chinese Wall in the Bob Marshall Wilderness with her grandson Ted leading the way, and she completed the 1989 centennial ride out of Chinook with her granddaughter Kelly by her side. She traveled to London, Amsterdam and Paris with her sisters, Ann and Barb. Recent joys include gazing at the horses through her bedside window, being read to by her granddaughter, many wonderful visits from family and friends including the colt who came to visit at her bedside. Helen was a woman full of faith and encouragement. She often commented in the last few months that she has been truly blessed. She never fretted about being “more” or “less” than anybody else. She came into this world on a cold and snowy winter’s day with God presenting her into her father's hands. She went out of this world on a warm beautiful spring day holding the hands of one of her children and two of her grandchildren. She is now residing in her heavenly home and is having an awesome reunion with her loved ones that have gone before her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her the world will not be the same without her. We’ll meet you at the hitching rail on the other side of the rainbow, Helen. Thanks for sharing your life with us. Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Eizoo and Neiselena (Molenberg) Broesder; brother, John; sisters, Neislena Halverson, Ann Turk, and Barbara Witt; husband, Glen Terry; husband, Murten Beeson; daughter, Glenda Gayle; and grandchildren, Tommy and Danielle Daughenbaugh. Helen is survived by her children and their families, Neislena (Dave) Otto of Havre, Clara (Ed) Allderdice of Virgelle, Kathy (Larry) Jones of Big Sandy, Judy (Tom) Daughenbaugh of Havre, Loren (Willie) Terry of Big Sandy Eizoo (Celesta) Terry of Box Elder, Annette Bratz of Billing, and Tami (Arlin) Bratz of Covington, Wash. She leaves behind 30 grandchildren, and 57 great-grandchildren. The first great-great-grandchild is due in November. Visitation was on Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home, and on Monday, June 9, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Big Sandy Community Church of God. Eulogy will be delivered by Grahame Nicolson at the Big Sandy Community Church of God on Monday June 9, at 4 p.m. Burial will follow in the Big Sandy Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Peace Hospice.
