Paddy Jo Damschen

Paddy Jo Damschen

Paddy Jo (Kvande) Damschen passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, March 8, 2011, from a heart attack. A loving mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend was taken from us too soon.

Paddy was born on Aug. 24, 1950, in Havre, Mont., to Trygve and Tracy Kvande. She graduated from Havre High School in 1968 and from Montana State University in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in microbiology. She married Barry Damschen on Sept. 12, 1970, in Havre. After graduation, they moved to Omaha, Neb ,. where Paddy worked in a lab doing cancer research. They moved to Helena in 1975. She worked as a payroll clerk for the state until her son, Ryan, was born on Oct. 22, 1977. On March 31, 1980, daughter Carrie was born. Paddy's greatest joy was spending time with her children. She also loved waterskiing, snow skiing, camping at the lake, going to Bobcat games and going to her kids' sporting events. Paddy never missed one of Carrie or Ryan's games or track meets throughout their entire lives. Her four grandchildren were the light of her life filled her with more joy than she could have ever imagined.

Paddy worked as the business manager for Damschen and Associates for 15 years. At the time of her death, she worked as the office manager for Anderson Montgomery Engineering. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Many Thursdays were spent watching "Survivor" with friends and Friday nights at Lakeside. Paddy lived for weekends at the lake with her family and friends, perfecting her hostess skills over the 11 years she lived at the lake. Paddy was a Girl Scout, a member of Soroptomist for many years, a member of Our Redeemers' Church and was a board member of the Bobcat Track and Field Association.

Paddy is survived by Barry Damschen of Helena; son, Ryan (Tara) Damschen of Lynnwood, Wash. ; daughter, Carrie (Freddy) Krepps of Helena; grandchildren, Morgan and Carson Damschen and Ella and Sarah Krepps; mother, Tracy Kvande of Helena; sister, Sally (David) Chvilicek of Havre; brother, Duane (Linda) Kvande of Longview, Wash. ; brother-in-law, Jack McCracken of Port Orchard, Wash. ; sister-in-law, Debbie (Dan) Folkerts of Billings; numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Reggie.

She was preceded in death by her father, Trygve; and sisters, Joyce and Nancy.

A public viewing will be held on Sunday, March 13, at Retz Funeral Home, Helena, between 4 and 6 p. m. Memorial services will be held at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church on Monday, March 14, at 1 p. m., with burial services following at Forestvale Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial at Green Meadow Country Club. Memorials in Paddy's name can be sent to Hospice of St. Peter's Hospital or to Wells Fargo in care of the Paddy Damschen Memorial Track Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded to a Helena track and field athlete. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Paddy, please visit http://www.retzfuneralhome.com.

Paddy's warmth, kindness and giving sprit touched many lives. Her passing leaves us with a void in our hearts, but her spirit and legacy will live on forever.

Paddy Jo (Kvande) Damschen passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, March 8, 2011, from a heart attack. A loving mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend was taken from us too soon.

Paddy was born on Aug. 24, 1950, in Havre, Mont., to Trygve and Tracy Kvande. She graduated from Havre High School in 1968 and from Montana State University in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in microbiology. She married Barry Damschen on Sept. 12, 1970, in Havre. After graduation, they moved to Omaha, Neb ,. where Paddy worked in a lab doing cancer research. They moved to Helena in 1975. She worked as a payroll clerk for the state until her son, Ryan, was born on Oct. 22, 1977. On March 31, 1980, daughter Carrie was born. Paddy's greatest joy was spending time with her children. She also loved waterskiing, snow skiing, camping at the lake, going to Bobcat games and going to her kids' sporting events. Paddy never missed one of Carrie or Ryan's games or track meets throughout their entire lives. Her four grandchildren were the light of her life filled her with more joy than she could have ever imagined.

Paddy worked as the business manager for Damschen and Associates for 15 years. At the time of her death, she worked as the office manager for Anderson Montgomery Engineering. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Many Thursdays were spent watching "Survivor" with friends and Friday nights at Lakeside. Paddy lived for weekends at the lake with her family and friends, perfecting her hostess skills over the 11 years she lived at the lake. Paddy was a Girl Scout, a member of Soroptomist for many years, a member of Our Redeemers' Church and was a board member of the Bobcat Track and Field Association.

Paddy is survived by Barry Damschen of Helena; son, Ryan (Tara) Damschen of Lynnwood, Wash. ; daughter, Carrie (Freddy) Krepps of Helena; grandchildren, Morgan and Carson Damschen and Ella and Sarah Krepps; mother, Tracy Kvande of Helena; sister, Sally (David) Chvilicek of Havre; brother, Duane (Linda) Kvande of Longview, Wash. ; brother-in-law, Jack McCracken of Port Orchard, Wash. ; sister-in-law, Debbie (Dan) Folkerts of Billings; numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Reggie.

She was preceded in death by her father, Trygve; and sisters, Joyce and Nancy.

A public viewing will be held on Sunday, March 13, at Retz Funeral Home, Helena, between 4 and 6 p. m. Memorial services will be held at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church on Monday, March 14, at 1 p. m., with burial services following at Forestvale Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial at Green Meadow Country Club. Memorials in Paddy's name can be sent to Hospice of St. Peter's Hospital or to Wells Fargo in care of the Paddy Damschen Memorial Track Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded to a Helena track and field athlete. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Paddy, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.

Paddy's warmth, kindness and giving sprit touched many lives. Her passing leaves us with a void in our hearts, but her spirit and legacy will live on forever.