Helene Marie (Jansen) Rychkun, age 90, of Circle, Montana passed away Saturday, November 22, 2008 at McCone County Health Center in Circle.
Helene was born to Ben & Mary Jansen on October 26, 1918. She was born on their homestead west of Circle during an early snowstorm. Her mother passed away when Helene was five years old and the family moved to Wolf Point. After her mother’s death her Aunt Ann Jansen came to help care for her and her brother, Tom.
She graduated from Wolf Point High School and moved to Circle where she worked in several offices in the county court house over the years.
On May 28, 1949 Helene married Andrew Rychkun at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point. After their marriage they moved to the Frank & Ann Groh farm and ranch where they resided until Andrew’s health failed. In 2005 they moved into the McCone County Health Center.
Helene will be remembered as a great cook and an excellent baker. She enjoyed cooking special meals for others.
She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Circle. In her younger years she was active in the church and Altar Society. She was also a 50 year member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary of Circle.
Helene was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew, her aunt and uncle, Ann and Frank Groh, her parents and brothers, Raymond and Tom Jansen.
She is survived by a niece, Peggy Hall of Chehalis, WA; several cousins, including Shirley Buechler of Glasgow; and close friends, the Terhaar family.
A Memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle. A Vigil Service will be held Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. also at the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com . Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.