On the evening of April 2nd, Barbara passed away at St Petes Hospital in the presence of her loving family. She fought hard, but in the end, her heart gave out to congestive heart failure. Barb was 83 years old.
Barbara Sue Helsley was born to Walter and Lula Belle Helsley on November 4th, 1932 in West Frankfort Illinois. She grew up with 7 other brothers and sisters and loved telling stories about growing up in Southern Illinois. In 1950, she married Edmund Clutts and together they raised their 4 children Pam, Steve, Cathy, and Phil, while Edmund pursued his career in the United Stated Air Force. While stationed at Malmstrom Air Force base in Great Falls, Edmund and Barbara fell in love with Montana and spent many summers camping in the mountains with their children and enjoying what Montana had to offer. Edmund and Barbara’s marriage ended in 1976. Barb then met and married Robert Lund. They spent 32 years together and enjoyed remodeling a 100 year old house, which they lived in until his death in 2010.
Barbara worked as a nurse’s aide at Cascade County Hospital in Great Falls for many years. After a back injury forced her into retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her children and grandchildren, sewing, gardening, reading, and in recent years, she spent her time working on jigsaw puzzles.
Barb is survived by her brothers Charles and Wayne Helsley of Illinois, her children Pamela Aldridge of Helena, Steven Clutts and his wife Sherry of Billings , Cathy Southworth and her husband Brad of Helena, Phillip Clutts of Helena, stepchildren Velda Loch of Valier, and Jim Lund of Great Falls, her grandchildren Alex Aldridge, Dani Aldridge, Heather Clutts, Whitney Southworth, Christian Southworth, and Tabitha Southworth, step grandchildren Ian Loch and Jamie Lund. Barb also adored her six great grandchildren, Elijah Schaumburg, Trinity Jones, William Jones, Gabriel and Logan Watts, and Seth Lund.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Lula , her first love Edmund, her second husband Bob,, her sisters Connie, Christine and Mary, and her brothers Darrell and Don.
The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at St Peters who cared for her the last 3 weeks of her life, Dr Paustian who gave the family 5 bonus years with Barb, and Dr Kirksey for her compassionate care the past few years.
Barbara will be cremated and a celebration of her life will take place this summer. Big Sky Cremation is handling arrangements. In leau of flowers, please spend cherished time with family, as time is precious and life is fragile.
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