Helen Jean Chapman, age 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 11 at her ranch home near Big Sheep Mountain in Prairie County. She lived a blessed life and had spent her last day socializing with family and friends and petting her cats and dogs.
Helen was born in Chickasaw County, IA to William and Frieda Drewelow. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith and spent her life worshipping her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Helen grew up on a farm near Beardsley, Minnesota with her 11 siblings. After graduating from high school, she received her teaching certificate from Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD. She taught in several one room schools in SD before heading west to teach 4th grade in Terry, MT.
She met and married Lee Chapman in 1959. She was a devoted ranch wife and spent 57 years at his side. They raised daughters, LaJeannea and Vadnae. She continued to teach on and off, but her priority was her family. Every year she grew a large garden and canned vegetables. She also tended a flock of chickens for eggs and meat. She supported her girls in all their activities and was a 4-H leader for many years. She was also involved in Prairie Bells, Brockway Homemakers, and Trinity Lutheran Church ladies group. Most recently her church family was New Hope Lutheran in Circle.
Helen was an outstanding cook and everyone was welcome at her table. She prided herself on making friends and no one was a stranger for long. Helen loved children! Her grandkids were the light of her life. Many fond memories were made by Jessica and Brandon when they visited in the summers. When Bill and Vadnae moved to the ranch in 2009, Grandma’s little buddy Valerie lived right next door.
Helen was an animal lover, especially cats and dogs! After Lee’s passing in 2017 she often expressed how much joy her dogs and houseful of cats brought to her life.
Helen is survived by her daughters: LaJeannea Hietpas (Tom) and Vadnae Greenfield (Bill), grandchildren: Jessica Boss (Lewis), Brandon Hietpas (Emily), and Valerie Greenfield Crook (Kaleb), great grandchildren: Jacqueline and Sterling Boss, siblings: Diane While and James Drewelow, and a large extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings: Arnold, Dorothy, Warren, Berdeen, John, Lawrence, Richard, Clarice, and William.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:30 AM
Saturday November 18, 2023
Salem Lutheran Church
1400 B Ave
Circle, MT 59215
Luncheon
Following Memorial Service
Saturday November 18, 2023
This is a potluck meal
Salem Lutheran Church
Circle, MT 59215
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:30 AM
Saturday November 18, 2023
Salem Lutheran Church
1400 B Ave
Circle, MT 59215
Luncheon
Following Memorial Service
Saturday November 18, 2023
This is a potluck meal
Salem Lutheran Church
Circle, MT 59215
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Cathy Ban Kalmback says
LaJeannea, Vadnae, and Families,
I am so very sorry for your loss! Your parents were such good neighbors. My earliest memory of your Mom was when I was a child, she came to visit my Mom one afternoon, and I remember sitting on her lap while she read me a story. You are in my thoughts & prayers during this most difficult time!
Jeanette O'Dea says
My deepest sympathy at your loss.I had Helen for my 4th grade teacher and she was great. We kept in touch all these years. She will be sadly missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers
Jeanette Gaub O ‘Dea
Michelle Renee While says
Aunt Helen and Uncle Lee were my favorite aunt and uncle for so many reasons. As a child, they had the best animals and place in the world. Vadnae and Lajeannea were just a little older than I was, so they were amazing to follow around. Lee would invite Dad to go feed the cows and we kids would pile into the truck to go with them. It was EXCITING. I will never forget Lee putting Brent on the hood of the truck behind the big tire with a switch telling him to just wack at the bulls to get them to move. Later, as an adult, I remember mom and Helen cracking each other up. They were giggling and sipping wine, although I dont think they had sipped much. I remember thinking how awesome it must be to have a big sister like Helen to pal around with, even after they had raised their families. Mom and Helen could always find something to smile and laugh about. There was always joy and some laughter when they were together. I know I received my abiding love for cats from Helen. I am a better person for her influence. Earth is more dull without her. Love and prayers to you both and your families Vadnae and Lajeannea .
Dee Bickle says
Heaven gained a angel! She will be missed by many!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dianne While says
I will very much miss my last sister. She taught me how to read and jitter bug as a kid and we enjoyed many exciting experiences because with Helen it was always fun. She was quite the entertainer and she was very talented.She sang like an angel and played the piano with gusto. Her paintings were awesome and her embroidery was excellent. I loved her to pieces and will miss her shining face.My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this sad time.
Jean Brown says
TO HELEN’S GIRLS, IT’S HARD TO KNOW WHAT TO SAY AT A TIME LIKE THIS, BUT KNOW I CARE AND THAT YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. SHE WAS MY FRIEND. I WILL MISS HER AND EVERYTHING WE SHARED.
George and Katrina Luther says
So sorry to hear you lost your mom and grandma. Thinking of all and sending prayers of comfort.
Joanne sturdevant says
I am so sorry for your loss your mom was such an awesome,sweet and beautiful lady. She was my 4th grade teacher and we became friends from there.She would come into the class room and whistle and say OK you dirty birds let’s settle down. The class would giggle and pay attention cause we loved her. There aren’t too many teachers like her. She was a joy and God Bless Her. She will never be forgotten!
Stephanie Kaul says
LaJeanna,
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Let your memories of the times spent together help guide you through this difficult time. Thinking of you.
Burt Keltner says
Helen was an amazing lady with more energy and love of life than ten people! She and Lee were two of the very best. Seeing them at the Northside brandings when I was a kid was a highlight every year!
Greg Berger says
I’m truly sorry of hearing of Helen’s passing. I remember as a teen making the rounds of branding in north Prairie County with Clint Ueland, Chapman’s was always on the list. Later on, I truly enjoyed her visits at the vet clinic in Circle. She was always fun to visit with. She will be missed by all that had the privilege to meet her. My sincerest condolences go out to all of the family. May she rest in peace.
Ron and Kathy McFarland says
I first met Helen when I was working at the library in Circle. She would come in, drop off paperbacks and then just visit. I always looked forward to her visits. Later she began attending our New Hope Lutheran Church and was a faithful member. We will miss her. What a sweet, kind lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Carolyn Solheim says
Sending my deepest sympathies. I will always treasure moments spent with Aunt Helen and my most recent trip with my cousins to visit her this summer. She is a special lady and I share in her love of animals. I loved her storytelling and sense of humor. And I don’t think anyone can top her speed whipping around the kitchen.
Frank Wright says
My condolences! I have just recently gotten to know Helen through our church. What a wonderful Christian lady. I wish that I would have known her sooner in life.
Delphine Coon says
It has been many years since I have seen Helen, but when I did see her, we were like long lost friends! Had a very nice visit. Soon you will remember her and be able to laugh at stuff. God Bless
Lon and Vicki Reukauf says
Our condolences and sympathy on Helen passing. Vicki and I will be unable to attend the funeral but our hearts and prayers are with you folks. Helen was a solid dependable resourceful ranchwife ,teacher and mother yet with considerable spunk. She was always interesting to visit with. I am sure she was an interesting mother-in-law .She left this life in a way that let her look back on a successful family that she helped create and she took very little from at the end. We should all be so fortunate to live and pass as she did. Cherish your good memories.
Barb Smalis says
Helen was an amazing neighbor and friend. The memories of Helen and Lee will continue to give us smiles and happy thoughts for the rest of our days. Helen’s fried chicken, dinner rolls and other specialties were second to none but most of all we enjoyed her genuine laugh!
RIP Helen!
Veann Beutler says
My deep condolences to Auntie Helen’s immediate family. What a joy it was to know her! I’m so thankful to have been able to stay with my great aunt a few times as we were crossing Montana. I could listen to her stories for days! She regaled us with tales of ranch life, teaching (a joy we shared), growing up during such a different time, critters, and more. I have a couple of pieces of petrified wood from the ranch, and a gorgeous picture of her hollyhocks that inspired me to grow my own. I treasure and hold dear the memories I made with Auntie Helen.
Lenny Wright says
I remember visiting Aunt Helen’s ranch when I was very young, they fed us so well, had the cutest animals on the ranch. Including one of her favorite cats “I’m assuming” it would perch on top of her chair and lick her hair. A wonderful soul that will be truly missed.
Charles Schultz says
Thoughts and Prayers incoming. Not a trip passed Terry goes by where I don’t think of you and your family. It has been a long time since since those days at the marina in Fort Peck.