Helen Marlene Pipe, age 71, passed away February 7, 2020 in Wolf Point, MT.
Helen was born on June 20, 1948 to Jack and Elaine (Red Elk) Pipe. She was raised in Chelsea Mt with all her brothers, sister and special Auntie Rita Brown. She was the baby girl of the family.
She married Julius Poitra in 1969. From this marriage, she had two children, Joseph & Julie. She was later blessed with another son Jonathon Pipe.
Helen graduated from Montana State University, Bozeman, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing on June 9, 1978. She specialized as a Diabetes Educator. She worked and retired from the Indian Health Service after 30+ years. She then worked for various Tribal Programs including the Fort Peck Diabetes Program and was currently working for HPDP. She always stressed the importance of a college degree to her children and grandchildren. Helen loved to travel. She was always driving somewhere almost every weekend. She traveled to many areas across the United States from coast to coast. She enjoyed sewing and making various quilts and blankets. Her life was devoted to her family and will be greatly missed by all of us.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Elaine Pipe, 8 brothers; Jack, Myron “Buddy”, James “Jimmy”, Richard “Dickie”, Herman, twins Reuben and Frederick, Turben, sister Lillian “Gay” Weinberger, Uncle George Ferguson and Uncle Shep Ferguson; nephew Horace Pipe and grandson Jeremiah Pipe.
Helen is survived by her sons, Joseph Poitra, Jonathon (Karena) Pipe, daughter, Julie (Harper) Wright, Special Nephew Herman (Randy) Pipe Jr., 12 grandchildren; Very Special Granddaughter Juanita Pipe, Reeves Poitra, Derik Poitra, Aeryn Martin, Korra Poitra, Celea Poitra, Daniel Sears, Audrina Pipe, Dylan Poitra, Jack Pipe, Thomas Wright, Ahleena Pipe, numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, cousins, and friends.