Helen Marie Hedman, 88

Helen Marie Hedman passed away peacefully at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell on June 14, 2025. She was 88 years old.

Marie was born on Sept.19, 1936, the first child of Helen and David Morris in Whitefish. She spent the early years of her life on Sunset Knoll Ranch in Whitefish, learning about hard work alongside her brother, Bob. Marie graduated from Whitefish High School, class of 1955.

She married Gene Hedman in 1955 and was a devoted mother to Doug, Dale and Debbie. Marie raised her three children, worked in her husband's law office, was a member of the Soroptimist Club, and had her own yarn store in downtown Whitefish. She was well respected and loved by all who knew her in Whitefish (which was just about everyone).

After her divorce, she moved to the San Diego area for a fresh start in 1980. Her children were grown and living full lives of their own. Eventually, she moved from San Diego to Santa Clara, California, to be closer to her son Dale and his family. She began a new career at a little-known, start-up computer company called Apple Computer. She quickly rose through the ranks to become an executive assistant to upper-level management. Her job was stressful but she won over her tough bosses with her efficiency and her positive, can-do attitude. She met many people who became lifelong friends during her time working there. Marie enjoyed living close to Dale and his growing family and she and Dale even commuted together to work at Apple for a time. After 16 years of employment at Apple, Marie retired in 1998 and returned to the Flathead Valley in Montana to be near and help care for her aging parents.

She bought a house at Village Greens in Kalispell and enjoyed drinking coffee in the morning while watching the golfers on the sixth green. She lived in this same, beloved home for the remainder of her life. After moving back to Kalispell, Marie started helping her daughter Debbie by working in Debbie’s court reporting business in Kalispell. She and Debbie worked together and traveled together all over the world with their mutual friends. Marie loved to travel and made many wonderful memories along the way.

She loved life and her positive attitude was envied by many. That positivity was put to the ultimate test when she had to care for her daughter, Debbie who tragically died of cancer at 45 years old. The loss of her daughter, friend, and traveling companion was devastating. However, with strength and resilience, Marie prevailed through this hard time and managed to find joy in life again. That positive attitude and joie de vivre steered her through hard times often in her life. After her son Doug was widowed, he moved back to Kalispell to care for Marie but, as fate would have it, he was the one who soon became ill with lymphoma. Marie became the caretaker for yet another of her children. Doug passed away at the age of 63 and this proved another seemingly insurmountable test of Marie’s positivity. However, she made it through another painful and difficult time in her life and continued to amaze all who knew her with her strength and ability to look ahead with optimism.

Marie had many health issues throughout her last several years of life and had a large and dedicated medical care team. Her doctors, nurses, and office managers all loved and doted on Marie, calling her a “miracle woman.” They loved her cheerful, sweet spirit in the face of her many medical obstacles.

Marie is survived by her son Dale Hedman and his wife Annette from Placerville, California, and their three children: Jenna and Chad Crouch, Daniel and Jenny Hedman, and Paige and Michael Montanez; her seven great grandchildren: John and Lucas Crouch; Deacon, Adalee, and Roxanne Hedman; and Ivey and Elena Montanez. She is also survived by Doug's two children Jason and Mandy, as well as her brother Bob’s and Patty’s children: Lee and Wendy Morris, Mark and Sherilyn Morris, and Yvette and Bruce Holler, and finally by her very special niece, Gail Franks, who was a beloved niece and also a friend and loving caretaker to Marie in her later years.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and David Morris; her brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Patty Morris; her daughter Debbie Hedman; and her son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Kathy Hedman.

Though she will be missed, the many wonderful memories of Marie will remain in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her. A memorial service will be held for Marie on July 26 at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Whitefish.