Helen Gasser

RED LODGE, MT - Helen Lucile Lyon Gasser, 88, of Fromberg, went quietly in her sleep on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at Beartooth Hospital in Red Lodge.

Helen was born on June 29, 1920 in Waverly, Iowa, a daughter of Aubrey and Velma Lyon. She was raised in the Tetons at Jenny Lake where her parents operated a dude concession. Her father once possessed and later donated the Colter Stone, which is now located in the Driggs, Idaho Museum.

On September 17, 1936 she married Cloy L. Gasser. They lived on the Flying D Ranch in the Gallatin Canyon until 1947 when they moved to Lima, Montana where her husband worked for Roland and Averill Harriman at their Railroad Ranch. In 1973 Helen and Cloy retired to Fromberg. Mr. Gasser died in 1994.

Helen was very active in the LDS Church, and she enjoyed horseback riding, fishing, picnics, and her flower and vegetable gardens. She was a prolific weaver, carding her own wool and dyeing and spinning her own yarn.

In addition to her husband, Helen was preceded in death by three brothers, Dick, Victor and Aubrey Lyon, Jr.; one sister, Lillian L. Lyon; one son, Kenneth L. Gasser; and one great-granddaughter, Hannah Gasser.

Survivors include two sons, Russel L. (Rete) Gasser of Chandler, Arizona, and Loyd L. (Patty) Gasser of Hamer, Idaho; a daughter-in-law, Linda Gasser of Belfry, Montana; one sister, Virginia A. Brookbush of Seattle, Wash.; 8 grandchildren, Rocky Gasser, Sandy (Jerry) Sticka, Kenda (Lonnie) Siebenaler, Heidi (Chris) Stevens, Chip Gasser, Chad (Shannon) Gasser, Penny Jo (Jacob) Speelmon and Rindi (Chad) Harvey; 19 great-grandchildren, Jerady (Amy) Sticka, Jesse (Dani) Sticka, Jacob (Ashle') Sticka, Abra Gasser, Tanner Rowland, Kiley and Keaton Siebenaler, Christopher (Cara) Stevens, Chelsey, Charlie, Kenadie and Weston Stevens, Skyler and Samantha Peterson, Colter Gasser, Keylee Harvey, and Sundee Jo, Sadey Lyn and Presley Ann Speelmon; and 4 great-great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Payton and Jerry Lynn Sticka, Ashby Gasser, and twin-girls expected in January.

Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 28 at Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge. There will be a visitation at the Valley Mortuary in Driggs on Saturday, November 29 at 11 A.M.. Burial will be in the Cache Clawson Cemetery at Tetonia, Idaho. A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Belfry, Montana Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Memorials may be given to the charity of one's choice.

Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge and the Valley Mortuary of Driggs, Idaho are in charge of arrangements.