Helen C. Lucotch

Helen Kerkes Lucotch, of Great Falls MT, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022, at Peace Hospice.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at O’Connor Memorial Chapel with burial of ashes at Mount Olivet Cemetery following the service.

Helen was born on October 14, 1923, to Steve and Julia Kerkes in Tracy, MT. After Helen graduated from Centerville High School in 1941, she married her high school sweetheart Donald Lucotch. Shortly after they had their two children, Sherry and Jerry.

She was a woman of many traits and skills, widely known for her feisty personality. From tipping over outhouses in her 20s to chasing deer in her 70s, she took every opportunity to show the world “Ol' Hel." She was a very athletic individual, coaching the Centerville High School girls’ basketball team to win two state championships. She drove powderpuff stock cars in her early days and even played softball into her later years. She was a fantastic baker, working many years in the Issaquah Washington School District. She also carried on many Slovak traditions and recipes, that are still used today. She loved playing cards and being outside for any reason. She identified as a coal miner’s daughter and is closing the legacy that was known throughout the coulee.

She was a loving Mother and Grandmother. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Don in 1992. She is survived by her two children, Jerry (Connie) Lucotch of Great Falls and Sherry Hildahl of Las Vegas, NV. Helen was a grandmother to 4, Kelley (Samuel) Quintero of Great Falls, Shelby Hildahl and Karen (Lee) Torres, both of Las Vegas, NV, and Samantha (Johnny) McDaniel of Web City, MO. She is also survived by many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Helen was blessed to have deep roots in the Great Falls/Sand Coulee communities, still having many surviving friends and relatives to this day.