Helen C. Bickle, or “Hinky” as she was known by her family, age 87, of Broadus, Montana passed away on April 29, 2013 at her home in Broadus.
Helen was born on December 11, 1925 in Miles City, the daughter of Hans and Elizabeth (Carney) Peterson. She went to grade school at the Mitchell School at Sonnette, attended high school in Broadus and graduated from Custer County High School in Miles City. After high school she did clerical work for the State of Montana and was extremely proud of her skill as a typist. She married Joe Bickle in Miles City on July 14, 1945 and they lived in Miles City for several years. Joe worked construction and his job took them to Los Angeles, CA where they lived for 10 years. Joe and Helen managed the Cool Retreat Drive Inn during the 1960’s and there is a generation of Powder River High School alumni from that era who received an education in discipline from Helen either as employees or customers in that establishment. Helen really enjoyed their time in the Cool Retreat and telling stories about events there remained a favorite pastime of hers throughout her life. Their next move was to Laurel, MT for several years and then on to Helena, MT where Helen worked for the State of Montana. They owned a small motor boat and enjoyed boating and fishing in and around Canyon Ferry. Following Joe’s death and then her retirement in 1985 Helen moved to Broadus to share a home with her sister, Betty Gatlin. She and Betty were mostly inseparable and you rarely saw one without the other. In Broadus, Helen worked as a waitress first for the Cashway Café and later at the Homestead Inn until 1998 when she retired for a second time. She enjoyed waitressing because of the people she got to meet and visit with. Betty passed away in 2007 and Helen continued to live in the home they had shared.
Helen never had any children, and always considered Betty’s children her own. She could not have been more proud of all her nieces and nephews. She is survived by three nephews, Gary Gatlin (wife Kathi) and Ward Gatlin (wife Ronda) of Broadus and Mike Bickle (wife Deeon) of Miles City, three nieces, Judy Badgett of Laurel, Linda Trimmer (husband Ed) of Sheridan, WY and Jeanne Sparks (husband Richard) of Broadus as well as numerous great nephews and nieces and several great-great nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 39 years, Joe Bickle, her sister, Betty, and her infant brother, Harry, as well as both of her parents.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus on Monday, May 6, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at a later date in the family plot of the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Broadus is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Powder River Manor or to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 5, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday May 6, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 5, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday May 6, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
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Anita & Wayne Wetherelt says
Know our thoughts & prayers go to all of you. She was a special lady!
Alice Robinson says
She was quite a lady—–always a smile on her face for you—–you’ll all miss her alot”as will everybody else in your area….
Brenda Hopkins says
Helen will be missed by so many friends and family. she should be an inspiration to us all, to be strong in what you believe, and to live your life to the fullest!!!!
Dave & Pam Nisley says
A very special lady, we know how her leaving has made a huge void in so many lives!
We hope to share memories with all of you – what a delightful woman! We are thankful to have known her, she always made us smile 🙂
Veda says
WOW, bingo will never be the same with out Bic, what a great lady.
Mike and Deeon Bickle says
Heaven just got another beautiful angel! You will be missed by many!
Vic and Laura Lee Ullrich says
We really liked Hinky! What a firecracker! Her spunk and kindness will be an inspiration to many. Our sympathy…
Julie Gatlin & Kenny Gress says
I will remember the good times and the good laughs I had with Helen. She will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ed and Bev Schaffer says
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Helen. She was such a neat lady and a joy to be around. We will miss her friendly smile and our little chats when we saw one another. She will be missed!
Darold & Sylvia Zimmer says
A great lady we are all going to miss…soooo enjoyed seeing her at the Manor, too. Will miss her infectious smile!! Love, hugs and prayers to all the family.
Melissa Sturtz-Haab says
Broadus has certainly lost someone very special. You can’t call yourself a waitress unless you had the chance to keep up with Helen Bickle. Hope you are keeping all the tables in heaven – you will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to your family.
The Popp/Coulter family says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. We are thankful to have known her she was a very special lady.
Stephanie Best says
Prayers for the family of Helen! I vividly remember waiting tables with her at “The Homestead” when Dennis & Cheryl Schaffer owned. What a hoot! Memories I will never forget! My thoughts are with you all in your loss.
Jan Meckle says
My sympathy to all of you on the loss of Hinkie! I’ll be thinking of all of you & I know you will all miss her!