Helen Gunville

Helen Ann (Quamme) Gunville Helen Gunville passed away in her daughter's home on the morning of March 25, 2015. She had been suffering from heart failure for about a year. She died very peacefully surrounded by her family. Helen Ann Quamme was born at home in Mandan, North Dakota on February 24, 1929, to Milton and Grace Quamme. She was the oldest daughter and third of five children. Her older siblings were Milton Junior and Richard, followed by sisters Jeanne and Lois. Helen was called “Sis” by all of her siblings. Helen grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota and graduated from Bismarck High School. She was talented in sewing, making all hers and her sister's dresses. She was a high school cheerleader and sang in the concert choir. In her teenage years she served ice cream treats at Finney Drug Store and sold fabric, clothing and modeled for style shows and newspapers at A.W. Lucas & Company department store. At age 18, she was crowned “Miss BPOE 1199 Elks,” forever to be nicknamed “Queenie”. In early 1948, she met the love of her life, Emil Gunville, who was discharged from the Navy shortly before. They had a very special courtship and were married a year later. Helen and Emil were blessed with six children: Paul, Judi, Fred, Gary, Gracie and Mary Jo. Mary Jo was born with mental and physical handicaps due to a prolonged delivery. Helen's love and dedication was to her husband and her children. When she was just 33, she became a single parent when Emil passed away from injuries in a car accident. She was baptized into the Catholic faith a few years later at St Mary's in Bismarck. She raised her children and later moved to Billings, Montana, to care for her sister Lois Nelson, a resident at St. John's Nursing Home. She was always a humble servant quietly doing the Lord's calling. She worked at KOA and Morledge Eye Clinic. Over the years, and for various reasons, her children made their ways to Billings to make their homes and raise families. Her focus changed to the love of her grandchildren. For them, she babysat, sewed clothing and hosted family dinners and as she stated “I love my position of this family as Mother CEO”. She wrote in her memories, “I am sure with each problem I had to face, it made my faith in Almighty God stronger and I thank Him for it always.” Helen is preceded in death by her mother and father, brothers Milton Jr and Richard, sister Lois, husband Emil and her special daughter Grace. She is survived by her children and grandchildren Paul (Patti) and daughters Jenny and Kelly; Judi Brinton (Tom Boone) and daughters Sarah, Beth Kay (Andrew), Cathy Guyer (Trent) and Megan; Fred (Laurie) children Cameron and Mandy; Gary (Tim) and Mary Jo. She is also survived by her great grandchildren for whom she had a special love; Alex and Isaac Elbert (Megan), Joshua and Sarah Kay (Beth and Andrew) and Andrew, James and Charlie Guyer (Cathy and Trent). Her continued family includes sister Jeanne Tennefos and her children Dan (Joan), David (Vicki), Judie VandeVoort; Mary Shoji (Dave); Lois's children Kari Anspach (Bill), her sons, Kurt Nelson (Billy), and Kent Nelson; Sister-in-law Marilyn Quamme and children Stephen (Kathy), Lisa Safer (Duane), Richie (Tracy) and Andrea Austin. She leaves many friends throughout the Billings community, her new friends at West Park Village and her special friend Nancy McCauley. Vigil Service 7:00 pm Tuesday, March 31, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass 10:00 am Wednesday, April 1, at St. Thomas The Apostle Church with luncheon to follow service. Committal at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Saint John's Lutheran Ministries or other charity of choice. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel, and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.