Helen Margaret (Fry) Hollister

Helen Margaret (Fry) Hollister, 84, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Heritage Place on July 27, 2004.

She was born in Havre, Sept. 11, 1919, the third of four children born to Arthur and Margaret Fry. Her family homesteaded in Eastern Montana and then moved to Whitefish, where Helen graduated from Whitefish High School in 1934.

In 1937, she met the love of her life, Neil Hollister. The two were married at her family's home in Whitefish on Oct. 7, 1939.

Helen and Neil managed the Hollister Dairy from 1946 to 1952. They then moved to California where Neil worked for Knutson's Dairy. Upon his retirement from Knutson's in 1980, the two returned to Montana.

Out of their union came four children, Dan and his wife, Irene, Neal, Patricia and the late Arthur O'Brien and John and his wife, Penny.

Helen was best known for her joy of baking, cooking, gardening, reading and her love of animals.

When her children were young she was involved in Cub Scouts and PTA. She and Neil were actively involved in delivering Meals on Wheels and the Senior Citizens Center.

She is survived by her husband, Neil; Dan and his wife, Irene, and Neal, all of Kalispell. In California she is survived by her daughter, Patricia and son, John and wife, Penny. Her grandchildren include Lee and Lori Huestis, Greg and Lisa Zebro, Kellie and Jim Eggink, David and Tiffany O'Brien, Dennis and Kasey O'Brien, Heather O'Brien, Robert O'Brien and Tim O'Brien. She was also blessed with 14 great-grandchildren.

A graveside ceremony was conducted at Glacier Memorial Gardens on Aug. 2.