Helen was born on December 15, 1913 in Butte, Montana. She was raised and ranched in Roy, Montana, all her life, until moving in 1990 to the Billings area. Helen graduated from Eastern Montana State Normal School (now MSU-Billings) and was the captain of her basketball team. She was proud of the fact that she helped pack the cornerstone for McMullen Hall. She later taught at numerous small rural schools in Central Montana, including Black Butte, Coal Hill, Cimrhakl and others.
Helen married Larry Jordan Sr. from Ismay in Lewistown, Montana, a union that lasted for 65 years. They ranched for over 60 years in and near the Missouri River Breaks, north of Roy, Montana. They were known far and wide for their Quarter and Paint horses throughout the country. Helen was a horsewoman in the truest sense, caring for the horses and cattle her entire life. One well-known horseman, Randy Rasmussen, named his very best filly "Helen of Roy" in her honor. In 2010, Helen and Larry Jordan Sr. were awarded the Cowboy and Cowgirl Heritage award from the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame in appreciation for preserving the Western Heritage Way of Life. In addition to being a devout Catholic, she was also a cowgirl, schoolteacher, homemaker, horsewoman, and above all a great mother. She was known as the hard-working lady with the big heart.
She is survived by her youngest sister, Wanda Grauman (Don) who has been an important part of her life, her son, Larry Jordan (Kirstie) and grandson, Brent Jordan, who was the apple of her eye.. She leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years who died in 2001, her sister Marie Selway and her brothers Eddie Kudzia and Emil E. Kudzia.
Memorials can be made to Montana Pro Rodeo Hall & Wall of Fame, P.O. Box 930, Billings, Montana 59103.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 2, 2011, with family receiving friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City, Montana. Graveside Service and Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Cavalry Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Patricia Kudzia says
The memories of my dear Aunt Helen will always enrich my life. She was truly an inspiration. I so fondly remember the times spent on the ranch as a young girl. I now as a grown woman try to emulate her strength not only physically but spiritually. Her moral compass was her guiding light and such endeared her to my father Edward, her brother, who I know loved her dearly. Her beloved sister Wanda remained devoted to her care, so lovingly, until her passing. Job well done dear Aunt Helen.
Love,
Patsy
Bonnie Zahn Griffith says
I remember Helen as a strong and hard working lady who was a role model for many. She always had a smile, a word of encouragement or a helping hand for those who crossed her path. She loved animals, especially the horses. Helen had a great sense of humor, was devoted to her religion and family. I have always been grateful to have known her. Helen…you made a difference for so many…
Gracie Ann Hill says
Dear Jordan family–please accept our prayers at this time. I will always remember being with Barb Pettus and visiting in Miles City. The Jordan family truly has left a tremendous heritage. Families are forever.
kelsey lee says
To the family of Helen Jordan,
I am sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that God is “near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” (Psalm 34;18) With sympathy,
Guelda Halverson says
Larry and family,
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I always looked forward to the NRA Finals in Billings when your dad was still alive, because I could visit with your folks and catch up. And then just a few years ago I was able to have a nice visit with your mom at the NRA banquet. She was a delight to visit with.
My first 4-H colt (50 years ago!)came from your folks – a little palamino gelding – I named him Larry J.
My folks and your folks were good friends. How lucky we are to have known them all!
Our sympathy and prayers are with you all.
Danny & Guelda Halverson
Jan & Dick Marshall says
Dear Larry and Family, we are sorry for your loss. Helen was all things good,a woman to be admired. Sincerely, Jan&Dick
Carol Woolsey says
I have many wonderful memories riding with Helen down on Crooked Creek during the Fall gather…her bologna/cranberry sandwiches were the best..she will always remain in my heart.
Carol (Swend Holland’s daughter)
Shane & Holly Harbaugh says
Wanda,
So sorry to see that you have lost your sister. You will be in our thoughts.
Vivian Jordan Neumann says
This morning as I walked past a photo of Helen (that I had framed many years ago that hangs in my hallway upstairs) that been taken of her in the early 1980´s at the Ranch north of Roy standing at the old big barn door. The photo was self defining of Helen and if you knew her you would agree. As she stood in the doorway of that big old barn, both of her hands clutching fresh pulled grass that she was ready to give a particular horse that she was caring for inside. She was all decked out in her favorite attire; jeans, a black turtle neck sweater covered in loose hay, work coat, barn packs on her feet and a wool beanie on her head…not a touch of makeup and her glasses setting down on her nose. That was Helen in her favorite place, the “barn”! When I met Helen she was close to 69 years young and oh so strong….I was some 37 years her junior and I wouldn´t even attempt to keep up with her. This woman was “wonder women” in my eyes. At 75 years young she was throwing a 75lb bail of hay like it was a napkin, breeding studs and mares, mucking stalls and anything else that she had done or wanted to do on that ranch since she was 2 years of age.
She was a social conservative, modest, unassuming, enduring, an extremely strong person, a woman of high moral character and integrity. She was very much a lady from the top of her head to the souls of her feet. She always did the “right” thing as she knew it even when no one was looking day after day month after month and year after year. She didn´t care about having a fancy home or things. She never wanted or needed to be the center of attention of her family, community or peers. She was raised to be a devout Catholic and she loved God and was submitted to His Son her entire 97 years life.
Much has been acknowledge and written about her long career in ranching and raising horses, being an educator, her long marriage of 65 years, rearing and making sure her only son had a completed education, supporting his many endeavors and accomplishments, but she was also, a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, mother-in-law and a friend. I simply adored her and treasure the years that I got to spend with her. She liked to be and work outside and I loved to work and be inside….we complimented each other…..just a few of my jobs were: I did the driving for Miss Helen, personal hairdresser, makeup artist, personal shopper and dresser, cook, dish washer, and etc….you can see where this story is going……she had such a sense of humor and loved to laugh…we had so much fun and so many adventures. We traveled thousands of miles together over the years anywhere we decided to go in the country from Montana to Texas and would be gone for a month at a time. On one of our trips we traveled and toured the nation´s leading multi million dollar Horse Farms in Lexington, Kentucky and shown the most well bred accomplished Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horse stallions and brood mares in the world. She was so excited to finally see and to meet such horses as Seattle Slew and The great “Affirm”. Being there observing her as she evaluated the confirmation of each stallion that she had studied for so many years. At the B. F. Phillips facility in Denton, Texas they received and welcomed us to their ranch. At the barns there were signs posted stating to not photograph anything, however, the ranch manager fell so in love with Helen´s knowledge and love of the stallions they allowed her to take picture of absolutely anything she desired. Forever, I will remember that when she stroked the nose and was eyeball to eyeball with Dash for Cash, Streaking Six, Johnny Vitoro and every standing stud on the ranch she was absolutely enchanted, smitten and taken to another place. I have never experience a moment like that. Heck, I didn´t know them but they were so beautiful and majestic I felt like bowing and curtsying to them…The ranch manager didn´t want us to leave so he kept showing us areas around the ranch that only the employees and the owner were allowed to access… special features unique to their ranch and lifestyle…such as feeding the monster catfish that they raised….that was amazing….During that trip we laugh, cried, I learned to get up at 4:30 in the morning and like it, ate too much, she share her life stories and experiences, whether they were the good, the bad or the ugly. We loved every moment of that wonderful trip, talked about it often and I´m so glad she let me come along and do the driving….
.
I have and will miss this most wonderful woman and I know that many others who knew her will forever miss her too! The “DASH” between her birth date and death date was so much more than any one person could share with you all…but I hope this will give you just a glimpse of her. Thanks, Vivian Jordan Neumann
Jerry and Barbara Mickell says
Helen made a big impact on all out lives and she will b e greatly missed. I am sorry we cannot be there for her final journey to rejoin her beloved Larry, but our hearts will be there with her.
Pat (McCartney) Montgomery says
Helen was one of the dearest ladies I ever knew. I spent many a happy time at her home. She always made you feel welcome and loved. She and “Dad Larry” were like my second parents when I was growing up. God has received a special angel. God Bless you all.
Pati Jo O'Reilly says
Larry, Kristy and Brett:
Sorry about your loss. I knew your Mom and Dad all my life and never remember a time your Mom was not smiling. She was a model for all the hometown girls, pleasant, encouraging, a true friend with a kind word for everyone. Roy was lucky to have Helen as one of our community
I remember her and your Dad sitting at Pearls drugstore enjoying a milk shake or cheering on the Roy Pirates.
My most precious memory was the loving kindness, friendship and caring your family showed my family when we lost Doug.
Larry, Thank you for sharing your Mom will all of us.
God Bless you, Pati Jo
Michele Tavares says
My prayers and thoughts are with the family of a most remarkable woman. May your hearts find peace in knowing she is now home. My love to you Aunty Helen
Kandi Kerr Lindley says
I had the privilege of getting to spend the last couple years with Helen. She was an amazing person! I have so many great memories of her and am so appreciative I got the chance to know her. Prayers are with Larry and family.