Camilla L. Heidel, age 89 of Broadus, MT, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on November 14, 2017 at the Powder River Manor in Broadus.
Camilla was born on April 26, 1928 in Plentywood, MT, the daughter of Jorgen and Marie (Jorgensen) Jensen. She grew up in Dagmar where she attended grade school before her family moved to Plentywood where she attended Plentywood High School. Shortly after graduation she moved to Missoula to live with her Aunt Helga and worked at Montgomery Ward. This is where she met Ben Heidel. They were married on July 31, 1948 in Missoula. In 1949 they moved to Broadus to start their family. Together they had four children: Mark, Bruce, Kathy & Patty. Camilla enjoyed entertaining her bridge club in her earlier years, spending many hours planning a fancy dessert to serve her friends and using pretty dishes and table cloths on the card tables. She was an excellent seamstress and designed many of the clothes she sewed for her daughters and herself. Christmas was always a favorite time of the year and she spent days making all kinds of cookies and candy. Always an early riser, she would make wonderful picnic lunches and the family would head to Spearfish Canyon or to Bozeman for picnics with her sons and their college friends who all especially loved her brownies. Camilla and Ben enjoyed antiquing after their children were grown and she opened a shop in their adjacent garage called Gramma’s House Antiques. She took great pride in her yard, her flowers and her home which was beautifully decorated with her antiques. She loved reading books but never sat down to read until all her work was done. Most of all, Camilla loved being a mother and grandmother. Sunday night supper at Gramma’s house was a weekly event. Her Graff grandchildren headed to her home every afternoon after school and there were always freshly baked cookies for them and their friends. Her home was a second home to Alaina and a preferred destination to the Patrick grandchildren, better than Disney World. She threw out all stops when they came to visit, dying Easter eggs no matter what time of the year it was, raking leaves and building bonfires in the fall, and candlelight parties on the front porch in the summer. Camilla enjoyed feeding wild birds and loved dogs. Her granddogs were always welcome in her home and Kathy’s dog, Buddy, loved to visit Gramma and the other residents at Powder River Manor. When she visited the Patricks, Holly dog loved to snuggle with Gramma in the recliner and always slept next to her bed. Bruce’s Skeets always got part of her toast and peanut butter. Camilla’s children and grandchildren will always cherish the memories they have of her.
Camilla is preceded in death by her husband Ben, her parents Jorgen and Marie, her brothers Art and Jorgen Jensen, and her sister Ingrid Marsh. She is survived by her two sons: Mark (Suki) Heidel of Covington, WA, and their son Daniel; Bruce Heidel of Billings, MT and his step sons Ryan and Cody Maichel; her two daughters: Kathy Heidel of Broadus, MT and her children Eric (Sara) Graff and their children: Chandler (Cara), Keegan, Autumn, Gavin & Kaelin; Ryan (Amy) Graff and their children Jenna & Molly; and Joel (Jill) Graff and their children: Wally, Sitota, Argo & Theo; and Patty (Brian) Patrick of Great Falls, MT and their children: Alaina (Mike) Bucy and their children Parker & Brooklyn; Cory (Jessica), Hannah & Tyler.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 19, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus, MT. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the family plot at the Valley View Cemetery. Memorials in Camilla’s honor may be made to the Henry A. Malley Memorial Library, the Powder River Manor or to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday November 19, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
103 East Wilson
Broadus, MT 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday November 20, 2017
Powder River Congregational Church
Broadus, MT
Interment
following funeral service
Monday November 20, 2017
Valley View Cemetery
Broadus, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday November 19, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
103 East Wilson
Broadus, MT 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday November 20, 2017
Powder River Congregational Church
Broadus, MT
Interment
following funeral service
Monday November 20, 2017
Valley View Cemetery
Broadus, MT
marilyn jones says
So sorry for your loss! Loved visiting with her! She was a grand lady!
SALLY A. BORLA says
SORRY TO HEAR THE LOSS OF YOUR MOM. SHE WAS ALWAYS SO NICE AND PLEASANT TO ME WHEN I WORKED ON WEEKENDS AND THANKED ME OVER AND OVER FOR DOING HER LAUNDRY. SHE LOVED HER FAMILY AND WHEN I HAD TIME, SHE WOULD TELL ME ALL ABOUT HER CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WHICH SHE CHERISHED. REST IN PEACE CAMILLA. GOD BLESS
Wayne & Anita Wetherelt says
Kathy & the rest if the families, so sorry for your loss. Have enjoyed our visits & friendship over many years. Our thoughts & prayers to all of you.
Shauna says
Kathy, Patty and families,
Thinking of you, so sorry for the loss of your Mom.
Diana Edwards says
Kathy, Mark, Bruce and Patty….I am so sorry for Camilla’s passing. Our families have grown up together, from my dad and your dad, to all of us living across the once vacant lot, trips to Yellowstone Park together. So many fond memories to keep in our hearts. She was always such a gracious host. from Matt, Dave and Diana
Laura Lee Ullrich says
Oh how I loved this lady. She was one of a kind and leaves an amazing legacy in her children and grandchildren and great grands! Those were the jewels in her crown. We shared so many happy times together and she truly changed my life for the better. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
Loree Walvatne says
Sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom! Hugs and prayers to you and your family!
Beverly Pigsley (Inskip) says
My condolences to the family.
Prayers for peace as you come together.
Aspen Beall says
So sorry to hear of her passing m. I absolutely loved being at her house. Hugs
ArLynn & Walter Archer says
To all of Camilla’s family, so sorry to get the news of her passing.
May all the happy memories make this difficult time easier.
Thinking of all of you.
Randy & Aletta Shannon says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Camilla’s family.
Jo Jurica says
Kathy and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing . She was the only fellow Dagmarite in the Broadus area, a good Dane, and a classy lady. I always enjoyed my visits with her and will remember her fondly.
Sara Hopkins says
I send my thoughts and condolences to all the family, She always would say Hello to me, with a smile when I would clean her room or bring in her laundry. I will miss her so much, and will cherish her smile for ever.
Norm & Julie Samuelson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Judy Denson-Keller says
My heart, thoughts, hugs and prayers go out to the Heidel family at this time. I remember Camilla as a kind, very warm hearted person. The community suffered yet another significant loss when this lady passed away. May she be joyfully reunited with the loved ones who have gone on before her. May God Bless and comfort all of you at this difficult time.
Nancy and Bert Stoddard says
Your parents were the first people to welcome us to Btoadus when we moved into the neighborhood. I loved visiting your mother in her antique store. She was a gracious lady who shared her knowledge of antiques and books. Our prayers are with you all.
Johnny Joe says
Only vivid and wonderful pictures arise with the mention of Mrs.H ,what a dear person I remember,lo 50+ years past.
So sad this news. Peace with you …
John and Gerri Rouane says
Our thoughts are with the Heidel family during this difficult time. Ben and Camilla helped us find a home when we lived in Broadus. The next door neighbors at the trailer court and a lot of memories were shared. Bless you all.
Scott Bischke and Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Wayne & Anita Wetherelt says
so very sorry to hear this. enjoyed our visits at the Manor of late. mostly enjoyed visiting her in her home, mostly over the antiques. wonderful lady to have gotten to know her well, from my early days of living in Broadus. will miss her! hope all of your memories will help you down that road.
Larry & Deanna Hay says
Mark, Bruce, Kathy & Patty…thinking of you & your family with the loss of your loving mom…she was a great friend to our mom as they had so much in common! They had lots of “coffee” & “tea” times! May all your wonderful family memories help comfort you at this time…Bless you all…..Larry & Deanna (Damm) Hay
Ray and Terri (Jardine) Schmidt says
I am so sorry for your loss of your mother. I will always remember how beautiful she was and she was what I would call a ‘true lady.’ She made that impression on me even though I was fairly young when I lived in Broadus. Please know I am thinking of you and it is always so hard.
Dave Gunderson says
Bruce
Vickie and I are so sorry to see your mother has passed on.
Virginia says
Kathy, I was so sorry to hear your Mom passed. She was a wonderful Lady.