Helen Christensen

On April 4, 2012. Helen C. Christensen died at Aspen View. She was born January 7, 1925, in Barber, MT the daughter of Elsie (Howard) and Harry Dakolios. Helen attended schools in Barber and in Ryegate. While still in high school, Helen married the ‘boy next door', Earl Bartz. Helen and Earl had a daughter, Judy and a son, Gordon. The family farmed near Shawmut before moving to Denver, CO to work in the car business with Earl's brother. They later owned a Buick dealership in Brighton, CO. After Earl's death, Helen married Leonard Marcum. Leonard fell in love with Montana and they moved to Helena where Leonard worked for the Federal Housing Authority until his death. Helen was united in marriage to Ret. Colonel Chris (A.J.) Christensen. Together they had a wonderful retirement where both enjoyed shopping, dancing and all the activities in the Shrine, Nile and Elks Club. After Chris' death, Helen moved to Billings to be close to family. At her 80th birthday party, Helen announced that she was going back to work. She worked for Costco until her ill health required her to quit. Helen was preceded in death by her 3 husbands; son Gordon Bartz; her parents; brothers: Chuck, Harry and Ernie Dakolios; and great-grandson Carson Duray. She leaves behind her brothers: Ed (Alta) Dakolios of Billings, Stanley (Joyce) Dakolios of Tucson, AZ; sister Gladie Stack of Casper, WY; daughter Judy (Jim) Olson of Billings, daughter-in-law Kathy Bartz of Colorado; granddaughters: Jennifer (Bart) Duray of Billings, Debbie Simpson of Florida; grandsons: J.J. Olson of Helena, Russ (Kris) , David Bartz all of Colorado; great-grandchildren: Jason Millhouse, Ariel Simpson, Nicolas, Savannah and Christian Bartz, Cody Olson, Hunter Duray; great-great-granddaughter Aevaeh Millhouse. Helen is also survived by many special Dakolios and Bartz nieces and nephews. Service: Funeral services for Helen will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 9, 2012 at Shiloh Methodist Church. Cremation will follow. Private family interment of ashes will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made in her name to the Shiners' Children's Hospital or in honor of her grandson, Carson, to the Cure Search for Children's Cancer, 4600 East West Highway, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814.