Helen Knote

Helen (Riggin) Knote, 87, of Great Falls, a retired cook for Great Falls "public" Schools, passed away on Friday, August 10, 2012, of natural causes at a local care facility.A funeral service will be held at Westside United Methodist Church, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Manchester Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Helen was born on June 8, 1925 to Ranald and Mabel (Jones) Riggin, in Brinsmade, North Dakota. She was raised and educated in North Dakota and on March 7, 1943 she married the love of her life, Gerald V. Knote. He passed away June 29, 2012. They had been married for 69 years. They farmed in North Dakota until 1955 when they moved to Great Falls. She worked as a cook for the Great Falls School District until she retired in 1982 after 22 years of service.She was an active member at Westside United Methodist Church and she was very involved with their womens groups. She was also a member Good Sams RV Club and the Eagles. Helen enjoyed playing cards, RVing with the Good Sams Club and taking various bus tours throughout the country with Gerald. She cherished her time with her family and spending time at their cabin.She is survived by her son, Clifford Kip (Glenda) Knote of Somers; daughters Beverly (Fred Smith) Mader of Shepard, Marilyn (LeRoy) Grismer of Ulm, Charyl Knote, Donette Mader, Leann (John) Larson, and Rhea (Danny) Harthun all of Great Falls; brothers Dale (Janice) Riggin of Fairfield and Wesley (Kay) Riggin of Kalispell; 19 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter.She was preceded in death by her husband; a son Jerald Knote; her parents; three brothers; four sisters; one grandson; one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter.Memorials are suggested to Peace Hospice of Montana, 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405 or Westside United Methodist Church, 726 Central Ave W, Great Falls, MT 59404.