Helen Livingston

Helen June Livingston, 95, of Great Falls, passed away May 5, 2017.Helen was born on June 30, 1921 in Lewistown, Montana to Norwegian immigrant, Bertha (Swenson) and Swedish immigrant, Carl Erlandson. She grew up with four brothers on the family homestead 28 miles north of Denton. Helen rode to school for eight years on their horse, Ted, with her younger brothers, Bud and Babe. She graduated from Denton High School in 1939, moving to Great Falls in 1940.She began her career teaching sewing at Singer Sewing Machine Company in July of 1946. She moved to the Pin Cushion working for Walt Dudra for 20 years. While working for Manns Sewing Machine, she won a trip to Sweden through Viking Sewing Machine and finished her career at Fabricland, retiring in 1990. Helen created her own clothes and clothes for her family and friends. She then learned to paper piece and make quilts and wall hangings, being an active member of the Quilt Guild in Great Falls. She taught sewing for 25 years for Adult Education courses.Helen joined Our Saviors Lutheran Church when she first moved to Great Falls. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and attended Circle. Helen made quilts for Love Day for over 15 years. She was an active member of the Elks Club, dancing her shoes off every Wednesday night.She was a 4H leader and enjoyed ceramics, quilting, bowling and tending her garden also having 40 rose bushes. Helen traveled the world and spent her summer months on Swan Lake enjoying the sunsets.Helen is survived by her sons, Bernie Vogel and Thomas Macek of Great Falls; daughter Kristy (Dave) Santos of Manzanita, OR; grandchildren DJ and Kristian Santos, Shannon, Lynsey and Joshua Macek, Dana Krakowski, and Eric Vogel; six great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and wonderful companion, Lyle McKeever.She was preceded in death by her partner, Gene Dunning and brothers, Orville, Claude, Bud and Babe.A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at our Saviors Lutheran Church.