Helen Wren Gervais

Helen (Ferda) Wren Gervais, 95, of Great Falls passed away Monday, August 12, 2013 at Benefis Healthcare of natural causes. Graveside service will be held at a later date at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. Helen was born May 15, 1918 to Michael and Susan Ferda in Highwood. She attended school in Highwood and moved to Great Falls, graduating from Great Falls High School. Helen was a nannie for a dentist’s family so she could finish high school in Great Falls and then went on to work as a steno-bookkeeper for a physician’s office. During World War II, she was a buser at the Army Base in Washington. She retired as a farmer in Cascade after Ed’s death in 1962 along with her beloved son Mike. She was a member of Bridge Club and the Great Falls Senior Citizens Center. Helen enjoyed her family and Rock Hounding (digging Yogo Sapphires in Sapphire Village) where she spent many summers. She loved her bridge groups and bowling at the Elks. She also was an avid bird watcher. Helen is survived by her husband, Raymond J. Gervais of Great Falls; brothers Michael Ferda, John Ferda, and Steve Ferda; sisters Pauline Ferda, Anne Workman, Mary Blais, Elizabeth Carlson, Alice Nilsen, and Margaret Bedenbender; grandsons Brett M (Amanda) Gervais and Bryce (Kayla) Gervais ; great-grandchildren Hunter “Side Kick”, Rilee “Princess” , and “Little” Logan Gervais, Kaydence “Little Princess” Gervais; and many nieces and nephews all over the United States who she dearly loved and enjoyed keeping in touch with. She was preceded in death by her parents Michael and Susan Ferda; first husband Edward Wren; and son Michael Edward Wren who passed away suddenly in July 2004. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Great Falls Rescue Mission and Easter Seals.