Obituary - Mary 'Lyn' (Hestekin) Tucker

Mary 'Lyn' (Hestekin) Tucker of Missoula, 88, passed away peacefully Sept. 28, 2019, at St. Patrick's Hospital surrounded by her family.

She was born on Feb. 9, 1931, in Rhame, ND, the oldest of three beautiful daughters of Ruth (Burke) and Clarence Hestekin. Lyn was raised in Rhame, graduating from Rhame High School with honors in 1948. That summer she headed by train to Montana to attend Carroll College in Helena. One of the first women classes accepted to Carroll. In 1950 she transferred to Montana State University in Missoula, graduating in 1952 with her Bachelor of Arts in health. While in Missoula she participated in many activities at the university and was named Miss Photogenic in 1951.

She was accepted with full ride scholarships into the physical therapy programs at both Stanford University and New York University. However she had met the love of her life, Jerry Tucker, and they were married at the Church of the Little Flower in Billings, MT, Sept. 3, 1952, with reception in Missoula at the Florence Hotel. They celebrated 65 years of marriage before Jerry's passing in 2017.

They lived in Missoula where both Steve and Jeryl were born, then headed to Chitose Airforce Base in Hokaido, Japan, until 1956. They settled in Havre, MT where both Karin and Mike were born. They lived in Conrad, Great Falls and moved back to Havre opening First Security Bank of Havre in 1974, living there amongst many wonderful friends until 1981, when they left to build a home on Flathead Lake. There they enjoyed the beauty of the lake and entertained many friends and family.

In 2006 they moved to Canyon River in East Missoula where they met many friends and wonderful neighbors. Lyn was a devout Catholic all of her life, sustained by her faith through life's many ups and downs. She greatly mourned the loss of her oldest daughter, Jeryl, who was taken far too soon by brain cancer in 1997.

Family was the center of her life. She was filled with love and cherished all of her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and the very special bond she and Jerry held with her sisters Carol and Rita and their husbands Murray and Patrick and Jerry's sister Shirley and husband Gene.

She was blessed with many lifelong friendships and will be forever remembered for her calm and gentle spirit.

She was a member of Delta Delta Delta Fraternity, Chapter AI PEO, enjoyed bridge, golf, snow skiing, traveling, watercolor painting and drawing.

She is survived by her sister Rita Nau (Patrick) of Billings, Montana, daughter Karin Hergesheimer (David) of Kalispell, son Steve (Lynn) of Kalispell, son Michael (Mysta) of Missoula, son in law Gary Byers (Karen) of Columbia Falls; grandchildren Craig, Mathew, Nicholas, Patrick, Micah, Logan, Amanda, Dustyn and Jessica; great grandchildren Brix, Ryder, Braleigh and Reiner and beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jerry; her parents, Ruth and Clarence Hestekin; her sister Carol and brother-in-law Murray Ehlers and beautiful daughter Jeryl Tucker Byers.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held for both Lyn and Jerry Tucker at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Missoula with Father Brian Bergeron officiating. A reception will be held from 11:00 to noon at the parish center. A private internment for both will be held in Polson at Lakeview Cemetery that afternoon.

Memorials may be made to Christ the King Parish, 1400 Gerald Ave. Missoula, MT 59801.

Condolences can be left for the family at http://www.gardencityfh.com .