Remembering Dorothy Jean Jungers
On a cool Montana summer evening, Saturday, June 16, 2018…Dorothy Jean crossed quietly into the Spirit World surrounded by her family. There, she joyfully joined her children; Skip, Jack, Rita and Debbie; along with her Ancestors and her Creator. We have known our beloved Dorothy by many names during her 92 years in Montana. Dorothy Jean Bailey, Dorothy Jean Atley, Dorothy Jean Songer and finally, Dorothy Jean Jungers. Five generations of Dorothy’s family still call Helena, Montana Home.
Dorothy was born to Marie Jean LaRance of Lodge Grass Montana and John Bailey of Lee Montana on June 4, 1926. Shortly thereafter, Dorothy was adopted into the Atley family, and spent her childhood years in Helena. Dorothy attended Helena High School and celebrated with the Class of 1944.
In 1944, Dorothy and Louis Songer were married and began their family. Sons, Louis (Skip); Jackie; Tom; Mike and Pat and daughter Rita. Later, Daughter Mona was born to Earl Pocha and Dorothy. Dorothy and her children, along with foster children Shan and Kathy Giles and John Hazen all grew up together at their home at 300 State Street in Helena.
Dorothy spent her work years in service to the people of Helena as a waitress in several of Helena’s iconic eating establishments. 4B’s, Jorgenson’s Restaurant, Frontier Town, The Burger Shop and finally, The House of Wong. Dorothy and her longtime work partner and friend Myrt Wiley served customers at The House of Wong for over 35 years.
For Dorothy, family was everything, and she is survived by her brother, John Bailey of Lame Dear; Daughter-in-Law, Bonnie Songer of East Helena; sons, Tom (Terri) Songer of Helena; Mike (Samantha) Songer of Helena, Pat (Connie) Songer of East Helena, and daughter Mona Pocha (Joe) of Vancouver, Washington. In addition to her family legacy of sons and daughters, surviving Dorothy are nineteen grandchildren and numerous, loving great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren most still residing in Helena.
Dorothy was a proud, enrolled member of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe, with Tribal Headquarters in Great Falls, Montana. Dorothy loved attending local Pow Wow’s especially the Last Chance Community Pow Wow in Helena and enjoyed watching her family dance, drum. Family gatherings, holiday meals, softball games, summers at the lake and especially storytelling were sources of great joy for Dorothy; always surrounded by her loving family.
Dorothy’s Celebration of Life and Crossing Ceremony will be held at St. Peters Episcopal Church, 511 Park Avenue, Helena Montana, at 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 21, 2018. A reception will immediately follow in the church undercroft. Internment at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Helena will follow the reception. All friends and family are welcome to come and celebrate the life of our beloved Dorothy Jean. To offer condolences to the family please visit www.helenafunerals.com
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Branden Songer says
I have so many wonderful memories of my Grandma, anything from camping at Park Lake (which a family of this size takes up quite a bit of room) to spending time with her at the horse races at the Fairgrounds and then having lunch at the Haufbrau and playing a little keno. One story imparticular always stands out in my mind however. My first job out of high school was working at the Gold Nugget casino……which was one of Grandmas favorite places to play a machine. Now keep in mind for those that may not know she had quite a lucky streak about her. One night she walked around to every single machine in the building placing a single quarter in each and playing her favorite 3 spot 60 70 80 and I’ll be if she didn’t hit EVERY machine in that building!
ROY MORENO says
Lit a candle in memory of Dorothy Jean Jungers
ROY MORENO says
I have know Dorthoy for a long time.
Spent summer days playing with her sons Pat,Mike I remember one summer almost fall
us boys had gone out an raided some gardens I had spent the nite Dorothy had come home after working at Wongs she went to take a bath then we heard her yelling Mike,Pat,John and Roy get these gabages out of the bath tub were all sitting on the couch
she asked us where they came from cant remeber what we said
Barb Lomax says
Dear Songer Family and extended members…..I wish Doug and I were able to drive to Montana to say goodbye to Aunt Dorothy. I know the place will be packed with family and friends for this wonderful lady. When we would come to Helena for a visit she always showed us such great kindness and opened up her home to my Mom Jean and Dad Chick and my brother Paul. My Mom and I so enjoyed our visit to her one year by ourselves….the three of us spent a few days together laughing,lunching,and of course a pit stop at the casino. I will remember her laugh. RIP Aunt Dorothy.
Love Barb (Songer) Lomax
Kathlene Johnson-Sampson says
Dorothy lived close to my grandma her sons were at grandma’s house all the time with my uncles Ralph and Bob. My Mom, Ann worked at House of Wong’s as a hostess and I worked there as a bus girl. Dorothy was funny and caring. The day I managed to cut my finger open on a Fortune cookie (yes, I really did that). She both was concerned as it was a bad cut, helped me bandaged it all while laughing because who really can do something so odd. :slightly_smiling_face:. From Ann Williams Ring, Don, Dan, Tom and myself Kathlene Johnson-Sampson we offer our prayers to all her family. Heaven gain a beautiful angel.
Big Sky Cremation & Twitchell Funeral Se rvice says
A tribute video has been added.
Inez Slayman says
Lit a candle in memory of Dorothy Jean Jungers
Inez Slayman says
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all of Dorothy’s family at this tough time. Remembering the great times will keep her spirit close. Take care Mike and know we care.
Chickie says
Another ‘MOM’ has left us. So sad. Like all of us who grew up together, when one of our many mothers go a piece of all of us goes with her. Your mom was well respected and loved and will be missed. Our entire family sends you our condolences. The Moore’s