Our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend Denise Jean (Williams) Linjanen earned her angel wings on July 22 after hard fought battle with cancer. She passed peacefully at home with her husband of almost 50 years by her side.
Denise, or Neenie as she was known to family and friends, was born in Helena on August 30, 1953 to Gwen and Byron Williams. She attended Central School, Helena Junior High School and Helena High School class of 1972 where she played clarinet for many years, including gracing the marching band with her talents. She attended College of Great Falls studying to become a dental assistant.
Denise met Franz “Frosty” Linjanen at Mr Lucky’s and it didn’t take long for them to realize that they would spend the rest of their lives together. They were married on August 24, 1974, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and joined in the years to come by their three amazing daughters – Nikki, Erika, and Senja.
Neenie’s main focus in life was her family – immediate and extended. She was extremely nurturing and mothering. Her girls’ friends were always welcome to come share cookies or hugs. She was known for her fresh French bread, lefse, and Danish pastry and was enthusiastic about passing on her cooking skills to the next generations. She had a love/hate relationship with her sewing machines creating many beautiful dresses for the girls and quilts for extended family but often drove herself nuts striving for perfection.
Denise worked in service jobs all of her adult life, focusing on medical and educational positions. She was a caregiver in a cottage at Boulder River School and Hospital and grew to love each of her charges. During those years she had taken in a goofy dog of mixed ancestry named Grover. She worked nights but on her days off she would take Grover to her Boulder cottage and let the residents enjoy his company. She knew about pet therapy and emotional support animals before they were a thing. She worked at St. Peter’s Hospital as a pharmacy technician, at Shodair Hospital as an administrative assistant, as a dental technician, and at various schools in Helena as a para-professional and after school caregiver.
Denise loved animals and always had one or more rescue dog or cat around. A favorite family story is that during their lean years, she couldn’t afford cat food one week, so she fed the cats fancy tuna fish. It’s not clear whether Franz got lunch that week, but we sure know the animals were taken care of. Most recently she managed to get two stray cats into the house while Franz was at hunting camp. She never turned away an animal in need.
Denise grew up attending St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. It remained a large part of her life where she developed so many longtime friends. One of her greatest church accomplishments was being part of the Emmaus community and helping others complete the same journey. She traveled to the Holy Land with a group from church that she would often reference in stories. She was quiet but steadfast in her faith and spirituality.
Neenie loved hiking and camping with her family in her treasured Montana. She and the family set up hunting camp every November and even enjoyed Thanksgiving there a time or two. They took the grandkids to Yellowstone a few years ago and enjoyed their oohs and aahhs. She hiked the Sleeping Giant with family and friends. They made a trek to Jackson Hole to see the eclipse. A campsite in the mountains was her home away from home.
Denise was preceded in death by her parents, Gwen and Byron Williams. She is survived by her rock and husband Frosty; her children, Nikki (Marc Lewis), Erika (Chad Nason) and Senja (Michael Ollis); grandsons Byron Lewis (10) and Brecken Nason (9); siblings Joyce Williams (Dan Dolmseth), Carla Williams (David Treadway) and Jan Williams (Scott Smith), brother and sister-in-law, John and Laura Linjanen; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins along with many dear friends.
Cremation has taken place; family will be receiving friends at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Friday, August 2 starting at 12:00 with a service to follow at 1:00. A celebration of life to follow at Copper Furrow Brewery. Please come share a story or two and enjoy some eats.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lewis and Clark Humane Society.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
Noon to 1:00 PM
Friday August 2, 2024
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St
Helena, MT
Memorial Service
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Friday August 2, 2024
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
,
Celebration of Her Life
Following the Memorial Service
Friday August 2, 2024
Copper Furrow Brewing
2801 N Roberts St
Helena,
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
Noon to 1:00 PM
Friday August 2, 2024
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St
Helena, MT
Memorial Service
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Friday August 2, 2024
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
,
Celebration of Her Life
Following the Memorial Service
Friday August 2, 2024
Copper Furrow Brewing
2801 N Roberts St
Helena,
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Memories
Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.
Michele Stanton Heath says
I worked with Denise at Capital Laundry a lot of years ago. She was always fun to work with and we were all friends. She will be missed by many. My heart goes out to her family. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Chris Kashmir-Green says
I met Denise when we were two. Her mother, Gwen, was our babysitter that not only did a lifelong friendship begin with our mothers, my sister, Eve Dixon, and I had a sister relationship with the four Williams girls. We had many childhood adventures together that I will always cherish. As adults we may have lived far apart but we kept in touch and an occasional gathering. Denise was an amazing woman who will always be in my heart. She will be missed but never forgotten.
Laura Dowling. says
Beautiful soul. Beautiful famiky. I know your spirit will be dearly missed in this life.
Shirley Reese says
My sincere condolences to all the family!
Shirley Reese says
My sincere condolences to all the family. I pray that your happy memories will help to sustain you at this difficult time.
Eve M Dixon says
Denise, Neenie, was a life long friend and another sister to me and my sister, Chris Kashmir. I loved her dearly! When I think of her, I see her vibrant blue eyes, beautiful smile, and blonde hair. And always that beautiful high school picture that graced the stairway at the house on Rodney street. The four Williams girls together with the Morris sisters were a force to be reckoned with! We all grew up together and I have so many fond memories of us terrorizing the neighborhoods. Denise was always kind and gentle, and not as ‘mean’ as the rest of us! May our happy memories guide us all through this very hard time.
Dale M Lewis says
Dear Franz, Nikki, Ericka, and Senja,
We will miss that smiling face and just wonderful person. Our hearts are with you on this sad occasion. She will be smiling down on you all.
Love.
Dale and Bill (Mom and Dad Lewis)
Greg Synness says
My condolences to the Linjanen family. I have many fond memories of the time our families spent together riding horses, hiking and spending time at the lake.
Anna (kincl) Salini says
She was the most kind person. We had girls on the swim team and she was so supported. She will be greatly missed by all.