Laura Marie (Helmey) Mattheis

Laura was born on April 25, 1927, at the family home east of Lavina. She was the fifth of eight children born to Lawrence and Olga Helmey. Laura passed away on July 20, 2023, in Billings.

Laura graduated from Lavina High School in 1945. She then attended education classes at Billings Normal School for six weeks until the end of World War II. She received her teaching certificate in the mail and taught grade school at 79 School south of Ryegate for one schoolyear from 1945 to 1946, and at Belmont the following schoolyear. Laura married Edward Mattheis at the Lutheran Church in Lavina on Dec. 31, 1947. They were married until Ed’s death in 1994. Their union produced six children: Kathy (Darrell), Freddie, John (Diane), David, Gordon (Sussan “Jonnie”) and Stewart (Tracy). She was also blessed with five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Besides her husband, Ed, Laura was preceded in death by sons Freddie and David; grandsons Tom and Paul; her parents; and all seven siblings.

Laura was a lifelong housewife, career mom and volunteer. She was a past member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Among her many interests were gardening, birdwatching, reading, a good baseball game, puzzles and mysteries. Laura has the distinction of being named Mother of the Year for 74 consecutive years (her children did the voting).

It is impossible to list all the family and friends that Laura touched with her humor, love and wisdom over the last 96 years. She would like to say thank you for all the help, care and compassion shown to her by the doctors, nurses, CNAs and other staff at Billings Clinic, Avantara and St. John’s Hospice Care.

Graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Laura’s favorite charities: Wounded Warriors or Tunnels to Towers.