The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

On October 7, 2016, Helen M. Popnoe, 89 of Winifred, passed away peacefully of natural causes. Helen M. Popnoe was born in Glendive, MT, on November 8, 1926. She was the third child of John and Gunda (Kleppe) Secora. The family moved to Circle, and then to Big Sandy where she received her education and graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1944. Immediately following graduation, Helen joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. She completed her registered nurse degree at Montana State College in Bozeman in 1947.

Helen began working as a surgical nurse at the Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls. It was there she met Howard Popnoe, and the two marred on February 12, 1949. They raised three children and Howard had a private practice in Great Falls. Helen was his office manager and head nurse. Most every weekend they would travel to the family farm in Winifred. They continued working in Great Falls until they retired and moved to Winifred in 1988.

Helen enjoyed life on the farm, especially the beauty of nature and the many different animals. She loved watching sports, whether it be a local kid’s rodeo or the Wimbledon Championships on TV. She loved playing with children, and she was an avid bowler.

Helen is survived by her daughter Sue Tiffin of Missoula, MT; her son Jim (Kayna) of Montgomery, TX; her sister Lucy Courtnage of Big Sandy, MT; her five grandchildren, Justin (Jennifer), Michael (Rene), Clay (Allison), Ben (Megan), Leigh (Iden); five great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Adelyn, Brynn, Hypatia, and Prospero; along with several nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, her daughter, Rosie, her brothers, Frank and Charles, her parents, John and Gunda, and a nephew, John.

Funeral services for Helen M. Popnoe were Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., in the American Lutheran Church in Winifred with interment following at the Winifred Cemetery. The Cloyd Funeral Home assisted the family.

Should friends desire; memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the charity of their choice.

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