Helen Marie Swanson passed away Feb. 4, 2024 at Holy Rosary Hospital. She was born Feb. 1, 1931 in Mott, North Dakota to George and Marie (Melary) Miller.
She grew up on a farm south of Mott and was close to many relatives that lived in the area. When she was 15 years old, she was alone with her mother when her mother died of a heart attack, possibly fueling her later desire to become a nurse. In 1947 she graduated from Mott High School and later went to the Presentation School of Nursing in Miles City. She graduated in 1952 and formed many life-long friendships with the students there. She later became a nursing school historian, keeping track of all the nursing students and organizing reunions.
She worked at Holy Rosary Hospital. She married Bob Swanson on May 4, 1955 in Miles City. They lived in Bozeman, MT while he finished school at Montana State University and Helen worked at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital. Their first two children, Jim and Karin, were born there. Then Bob graduated and they moved back to Miles City and Elaine was born during a nurse’s reunion, so after the birth Helen was able to join in the festivities held at the hospital.
In June 1966 the family moved to Lompoc, Calif. Soon Helen was working at the Lompoc District Hospital. She loved being a medical surgical nurse but in 1973 abortion was legalized. Helen could not go against her faith and faced being fired for her refusal to participate, even though there were enough nurses for the procedures. Fortunately, she was able to get hired at the Convalescent Care Center within a few days, and she spent the rest of her nursing career in geriatrics, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
In June 1978 the family moved back to Miles City, and she went to work at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Nursing Home until she retired in 1996. She was very proud of being part of the nursing profession.
Her son was ordained a Catholic priest of the Legion of Christ in November 1994 in Mexico City, Mexico, and the family was able to go to the special and holy occasion. In 1999 she was able to go visit the ancestral homeland in Ireland.
In July 2020 she moved to Holy Rosary Healthcare’s Residential Living and loved it. She loved to sit by the nurses’ station and “help.” The staff put her name up on the chart for being on duty, gave her old-fashioned charting sheets to “fill out,” and many other things to make her feel like one of the nurses. She often thought she was the nurse in charge and advised the nurses, to which they played along.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three children that were miscarried (Michael, Patrick, and Bridget); her brothers Joseph, Donald, Patrick and Walter; her sisters Margaret, Theresa, and Ruby. (Walter, Theresa, and Ruby died shortly after birth.) She was also preceded by the death of one grandson, Jeremy “Jake” Forman.
She is survived by her children Fr. James Swanson, L.C. of Atlanta, Georgia.; Karin Swanson and Elaine (Jerry) Forman, all of Miles City; her granddaughters Erika Swanson (James Davis) of Eugene, Oregon, and Amanda Forman of Wilton, New Hampshire; four great-grandchildren Zeke Forman of Miles City; Claire and Ellie Davis of Eugene, Oregon; and Rian Backus of Wilton, New Hampshire, a sister-in-law Shari Swanson (Fred Schaffer) of Middletown, CT, and a therapy doll Arthur.
The family would like to thank the incredibly caring Holy Rosary Hospital, residential living and hospice staff, most of all, the nurses and the CNAs. Her final years were so much richer because of them.
Should friends desire, memorials can be made to Holy Rosary Foundation Residential Living or Sacred Heart School.
A visitation will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 with family receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. A vigil and rosary will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 10:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the Riley Center. Condolences may be sent to the family be visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 p.m.
Friday February 9, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 PM
Friday February 9, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
10:00 AM
Saturday February 10, 2024
Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Riley Center
120 North Montana
Miles City, Montana 59301
Luncheon
Following the Funeral Mass
Saturday February 10, 2024
The Parish Center
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 p.m.
Friday February 9, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 PM
Friday February 9, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
10:00 AM
Saturday February 10, 2024
Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Riley Center
120 North Montana
Miles City, Montana 59301
Luncheon
Following the Funeral Mass
Saturday February 10, 2024
The Parish Center
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles says
Love and prayers to the family. Such a wonderful person.
Mary Ann Liles
Shawna Gustad says
Karen I am so sorry about your mother. Prayers are with you and your family at this time
Diane M Welbes says
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers.
Denise Harvey says
May you find peace in cherished memories.
Cheryl Rainey Yasuda says
Elaine and the entire Swanson family:
I worked in the ICU when Helen worked in geriatrics. I will never forget her quick sense of humor and her meticulous care of our veteran patients. May her legacy of standing steadfast to her moral compass, and gentle caring nature sustain you in your grief.
Jenille Brugger says
Ahhh my sweet Helen! She was such a joy to take care of. Loved her stories and personality! I bet she was one heck of a nurse !
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
We are so sorry. What a legacy your mother left you. You are in our prayers and prayers.
Kim Stanton says
Dear loved ones, so very sorry to hear your beloved mother has passed. I so admire her commitment to her faith and her passion in caring for people as a nurse. She was definitely God’s hands here on earth!
May the Holy Spirit comfort each of you today, and in the coming days. “Eternal rest grant onto her. Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.”
With prayers for your peace and my heartfelt condolences, Kim Stanton
Samantha Perkins says
Helen made me smile everyday at work. Always and forever a nurse. She even answered the phone a few times. It was a blessing to care for her and in her mind work with her as a nurse. Again thank you for bringing her into our lives in residential. Peace with you all❤️
Sandy Rabe says
Prayers for you Karen, may you find comfort in wonderful memories.
Richard and LInda Meidinger says
So sorry for your loss. I remember working with her at the VA many years ago. She was a very dear person.
May she rest in peace and may your memories help you through this difficult time. Your in our thoughts and prayers.
Janet B Klein says
Jerry and Elaine and families. My sympathies to you in the loss of your mom. It sounds like she had a outstanding life in her nursing career. May she rest in peace and the memories of her sustain you during your grieving process.
Nancy Melary says
So sorry to hear of your loss! What a blessing she was to all who knew her! We hope your memories will continue to keep her near and bring joy in the days ahead!
Love, Mike and Nancy Melary
Marc and Denise Hartse says
Our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Swanson family.
Vickie A says
My condolences to the Swanson family. May you find comfort in all the beautiful memories you have and share with each other. God bless you all.
Teal Dobie says
Oh my sweet sweet Helen. We had many, many, many nights spent together at RL, you were such a kick in the pants and made my night shifts so enjoyable with our silly conversations and your witty humor. You kicked it with me all night long, kept me on my toes and made sure I got my charting done 😉 I’ll forever hold you close in my heart♡ It warms my heart knowing you are reunited with your sister Margaret, who you talked about nightly. My thoughts and prayers go out to Helens family.
Teal Dobie- CNA
Shannon Mcclain says
helen and her family are in my prayers, helen will be very much missed, very sweet lady 🙂
Tom Hanel says
I remember my parents spoke very fondly of Helen and her husband Bob. My sincere condolences for your loss, prayers for all of the family.
Tom Hanel
Mark Peterson says
James…My condolences on the loss of your mother. It doesn’t matter how long they live, it’s always difficult. We haven’t seen each other since grade school at Sacred Heart, but I remember visiting your house several times (you lived close to my uncle). I’m sure you have many fond memories of your mother.
Lynn Anderson says
Elaine – My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. What a blessing it was to have had your mother with you all of these years, but we are never ready to say goodbye… for now. Hold on to the wonderful memories and have peace knowing we will all be reunited with our loved ones one day. Hugs!
Muriel Selk says
So sorry Elaine. May your memories sustain you. Hugs and prayers.
Brylee Liles says
Helen taught all of us so much. I hope to be the nurse that she was. You will be missed nurse Helen. Save a place for me!