Jean Baucus, 94
<p>George Lane IR staff photographer In this December 2007 file photo, Jean Baucus holds a copy of her book, ÔHelena: An Illustrated History,Õ which was being reprinted by the Lewis and Clark County Historical Society.</p>
Jean Baucus, a rancher, historian, patron of the arts and mother of three children, including U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, died peacefully at her home in Helena Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at age 94.
She was born in Helena July 7, 1917, the daughter of Fred and Bernice (Sieben) Sheriff. She attended Hawthorne School, and graduated from Helena High School, attending classes in railroad cars after the 1935 Helena earthquake. She attended Stanford University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in economics.
She married John J. Baucus March 9, 1947. They raised their children in Helena, while actively running the nearby Sieben Ranch. John died in 1993.
Survivors include three children, Sen. Max and Melodee Baucus of Helena and Washington, D.C., Karen Kallay of Fredericksburg, Va., and John and Nina Baucus of the Sieben Ranch. She had seven grandchildren, including one who is deceased, and five great-grandchildren.
A social gathering will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, on the second floor of the Montana Club, with a sharing of stories and remembrances from family and friends to start at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s name to one of her favorite charities, which include the Holter Museum in Helena; Carroll College; Exploration Works, a museum for children in Helena; the Helena Education Foundation or the Helena Symphony Association.
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.aswfuneralhome.com.