Helena F. Courtnage, 84, died Thursday morning at the Northern Montana Hospital from natural causes.
Her Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday Feb. 23, 2008, at the St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church with Pastor Joseph Diekhans officiating. Burial will follow at the Big Sandy Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the church immediately after the graveside services. Helena was born Sept. 11, 1923 the sixth child of Clay and Annie Dixon of Big Sandy. She attended Kennilworth and Big Sandy Schools, and graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1941. After marrying Donald R. Courtnage on September 7, 1943 at Pyote Army Base in Texas, the couple moved back to Big Sandy to make their home. Helen was actively involved in the family business, Courtnage & Sons, Inc. Helen enjoyed and loved her family very much along with caring for them she enjoyed traveling, playing Bridge and dancing. Helen always brightened many places with her cheerful smile and greetings. She hung her hat many places, also, she had a home in Big Sandy, Arizona and spent a lot of time in her 5th Wheel traveling with her beloved husband. The past few years she was at the Big Sandy Medical Center surrounded by her extended family and staff whom she cared for very much. Those who visited her always enjoyed her good sense of humor. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Donald in 2004, two brothers Raymond and Charles Dixon and a sister Lorraine Dixon Parchman. Helen is survived by her three children and their spouses, Rodney (Elaine) Courtnage; Raymond (Carla) Courtnage all of Big Sandy, Mont. And Teresa (Lee) Oldenburger of Manhattan, Mont.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Ebby Dixon of Big Sandy, Mont; and two sisters, Rita Dixon Levy of Seattle, Wash., and Louise Dixon Smith of San Diego, Calif. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Helena’s honor may be made to: Big Sandy Medical Center P.O. Box 530 Big Sandy, MT 59520. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.
