Helen G. Vukonich, 95

Helen G. Vukonich of Eureka passed away peacefully at her daughter's home on Lost Creek on May 27, 2008, 'after waiting two years for the Lord to come.' She was born March 28, 1913, to Leland E. Tripp and Gertrude Stansell Tripp in Warland. She had an older sister, Rolene (Tripp) Haboush, and an older brother, Julian Tripp. Younger brother Merrill (Nellie Mae) Tripp joined the trio later.

When Helen was 6 years old, her mother died at childbirth, leaving four children motherless. Leland E. Tripp never remarried, keeping the family tightly knitted together.

Helen was independent and strong, being a housekeeper, organizer and boss. She could write poetry and plays, make something out of nothing, and never throw a thing away. Being from the Depression era, she never let us forget she traded her class ring for a sack of flour.

In 1941, she married John W. Vukonich, and they lived happily on Grave Creek until the draft called him away during World War II. He preceded her in death in 1994.

She was an active member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Judy, and Bob Gallagher, of Lost Creek; her nine grandchildren, Robert and Elizabeth Gallagher of East Helena, Daniel and Rebecca Gallagher of Palmer, Alaska, Theresa and Owen Vyner of Denver, Kathy and Kevin McDonough of Chicago, John and Kristen Gallagher of Fallon, Nev., Lisa and TJ Gerhard of Mansfield, Texas, Jim Gallagher of Butte, Tricia Gallagher of Butte, and Christy Gallagher of Butte; and 11 great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at Saint Peter's Catholic Church in Anaconda.

Longfellow Finnegan Funeral Home in Anaconda is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.