Helen Mae Pokornoski, 90

Helen Mae Pokornoski, 90, passed away on Friday, Aug. 15, 2008, at Brendan House in Kalispell. Helen was born May 25, 1918, to Jacob and Marie (Tieszen) Tiahrt in Dolton, S.D., a small farming community near Sioux Falls.

Helen's family farmed and worked very hard. Helen was driving horses at a very early age. She completed high school in Marion, S.D., and then attended a community college, where she studied bookkeeping.

In 1948, she married Joe Pokornoski; they ran Kalispell Neon Sign Company and later moved to Creston, where they bought and farmed 40 acres while raising their two daughters, Mary Louise and Jane Ann.

Helen enjoyed a long and productive work life after her children were grown. She worked in central processing at Kalispell Regional Hospital for 17 years before she retired. While working, she fulfilled a lifelong dream to travel, enjoying trips to Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, and South America. Her other interests included crafting and gardening. Her grandkids were her most important treasures.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Pokornoski; and a brother, Harry Tiahrt.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Smith and her husband, Bob, of Ronan, and Jane Gronley, of Kalispell; six grandchildren, Rob Smith and his wife, Shelah, Ryan Smith and his wife, Katey, Teresa Sohr and her husband, Clint, Travis Gronley and his wife, April, Ben Gronley and his wife, Kara, and Ashley Gronley and her friend, Shawn Finch; and five great-grandchildren, Hallie Sohr, Sarina Smith, Emma Smith, Quindy Gronley, and Tyler Gronley.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Helen's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Helen's guest book.