Helen Marie Duncan

HAMILTON - Helen Marie Duncan, 88, of Hamilton, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana. She was born January 12, 1926, in Havre, Montana, the daughter of Leslie and Oleta (Post) Sprinkle.

Helen grew up on the family farm outside Paris, Missouri. She had fond memories of her Grandfather's mule teams, thrashing crews, riding horses, and raising chickens. When she was grown, she worked at The Sprinkle Motel, the family's motel and restaurant in Gallatin Gateway, Montana. While working at The Bright Spot in Bozeman, Montana, she met Eugene (Gene) Duncan. The two were married March 31, 1957, in Livingston, Montana.

Helen was a devoted wife and took great joy in her family. The couple made their home in Butte, Montana, where camping, hunting, and fishing adventures filled most weekends. Those adventures continued when the family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon. Helen had a beautiful rose and flower garden and spent many hours canning fruits and vegetables from their large garden. She kept a spotless home, was an avid reader, and liked hooking rugs, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. More adventures came when the family moved to Benson, Arizona.

The couple moved back to Montana, making their final home in Hamilton. Helen pursued her life-long passion for art, refurbishing a painting of the Sprinkle home in Missouri, then recreating it as needlepoint. She made pictures of her grandchildren, fly-fishermen, and rainbow trout in needlepoint that were so detailed and perfect; they were often mistaken for paintings on first glance. Through the years, the thing that made Helen happiest was spending time caring for her family " feeding them, reminiscing with them, and laughing with them. Helen lived with dignity, poise, grace and humor. Her beautiful presence in her family's life is sorely felt and missed.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene M. ("Gene") Duncan; and her brother, Donald Sprinkle. She is survived by her son, John L. Duncan and his wife Terri of Hamilton and their three children, Brian and his daughter Amelia of Great Falls, Lisa Marie Giustino and husband Beren and their daughter Abigail of Missoula, and Torey Duncan of Hamilton; Helen's daughter, Nancy Martin and her husband John of Benson, Arizona; Helen's son, Pat Duncan, and his wife Kathy of Dallas, Oregon, and their two children, Scott and his children, Scotty, Lilly, and Gracie of Lincoln City, Oregon and Kelly Cross and her husband Paul and son Henry of Dallas, Oregon; and Helen's son, Tom Reardon and his wife Patty of Cutbank, Montana, and his two daughters, Currie and Mary Mae; a total of 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Helen is also survived by her sister, Linda Cleveland and her husband Richard, of Gallatin Gateway; and brother, James Sprinkle of Williamsburg, Pennsylvania.