Helen (Strom) Blush Eglsaer

Helen (Strom) Blush Eglsaer was born Jan. 2, 1921 to Alfred A. Strom and Mary (Smith) Strom in Whitefish.

She was the youngest of four — her siblings Alfred J. Strom, Rev. Charles Strom (Bud), Mary Strom McKee predeceased her.

She was a child during the Roaring 1920s, a teenager during the Great Depression and a young woman with a bachelor of science degree in nursing and a nursing job in Whitefish during World War II.

She married Lt. Neal J. Blush (Whitefish) in June 1946. She worked in a TB sanatorium for two years in Pasadena, Calif., while Neal recovered from TB himself. In 1949 they moved to Missoula where Neal completed a degree in education.

Leslie, Robert and Claire were born in their first three years there. The young family moved to Plains where Neal had his first teaching job and Thomas was born. Four years later the family moved to Columbia Falls and welcomed the youngest, Alan, to the family.

Neal built a small cabin on Whitefish Lake and the family spent every summer on the lake welcoming friends and family. The family lived in Tumwater, Wash., from 1966 to 1979. From 1979 to 1989 they traveled the western U.S., spending time with friends in Arizona, golfing, swimming and biking. Neal died in 1989.

Helen married Robert Eglsaer in 1993. She spent the next 10 years traveling and enjoying an active life. Bob died in 2003.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Leslie (Dennis) Kanzler; son, Robert Blush (Susan Savage); daughter, Claire Blush; son, Alan Blush; her grandchildren, Justin (Kim) Kanzler, Alexis (Justin) Emerson, Heather (Jake) Robbins and Kelsey Blush (Terry Wagner). She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Alex and Ethan Emerson, Katie and Jake Kanzler, Hudson and Parker Robbins and Devin Wagner. Daughter, Carol Marie Blush (1947) and son, Thomas Blush (2000) predeceased her.

Helen made friends and kept them her entire life — from childhood to retirement age. Despite many moves she was the constant in the family. She kept her children safe, happy and loved. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Helen died March 30, 2016. She is deeply missed. A funeral mass will be held June 11 at 10 a.m., at St. Charles Catholic Church in Whitefish. Mom is coming home.