Helen A. Pluid, 84

Helen A. Pluid, a Eureka resident since June 1945, when she married Harrell Pluid, Sr., passed on June 17, 2011, to be with her husband and loved ones.

Together, Helen and Harrell raised their 10 children.

She was born to Cecilia and Jack McLaughlin on Nov. 11, 1926, in Glacier National Park. Helen was not only a full-time wife and mother, she always welcomed family, friends and strangers to the kitchen table for a cup of coffee and her most delicious homemade bread.

Helen worked side by side with Harrell on the ranch, in addition to working many seasons in the Christmas tree yard. Helen chauffeured the Amish for many years creating lasting friendships. Helen worked at Ksanka Inn from 1983 to 1991. Helen's greatest joy was her family.

She was preceded in death by husband Harrell W. Pluid Sr.; daughter Janice Lee; parents Cecilia and Jack; sisters and brothers, Edith, Virginia, Jas, Bud, Babe and Jack; and a great-granddaughter, Christy Lynn.

Helen is survived by her children, Charles and Bev Pluid of Belgrade; Harriett and Ray Fournier of Twin Bridges; Carol and John Ziegler of Douglas, Wyo.; Mike Pluid of Anchor Point, Alaska; Audrey and Marvin Rickman of Billings; Frank and Cindy Pluid of Anchorage, Alaska; Jack and Sue Pluid of Eureka; Percy and Carol Pluid of Kalispell; Roberta and Mike Skranak of Eureka; and Grace Jensen of Wasilla, Alaska; and two brothers, Bill McLaughlin and Buster McLaughlin, both of Cut Bank.

She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and a large number of "adopted" children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at the Baptist Church. Visitation will be at the Schnackenberg and Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka, from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday.