Helen Anne Hosum Flath

On February 1, 2025, Helen Anne Flath passed away in Bozeman, Montana. She was born in Seattle, WA on November 10, 1942, of Norwegian descent. On January 17, 1943, she became a “Child of God” as she was baptized at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church. At age 3 she and her parents, Mildred and Tilford Hosum, moved to Tacoma, WA, where she was raised along with her brother, Marvin John and her sister, Susan Elizabeth. After graduating from Franklin Pierce High School, she graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree. It was at PLU that she met Dennis Flath whom she married after one year of teaching second grade.

Because of a decision she made as a teenager to commit her life to the Lord, Helen began her career as a Kindergarten Sunday School teacher (and Preschool Music Leader) after she graduated from high school; she taught Sunday School for 40 years.

After Helen had taught second grade for three years in Tacoma, she and Dennis moved to Missoula, MT, where Helen continued teaching while Dennis studied Wildlife Biology for his master’s degree. In 1970, the couple moved to Libby, MT, where Dennis began his career with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks as a wildlife biologist. Helen continued teaching until the birth of their firstborn, Elizabeth Anne, in 1972.

Bozeman became their new home in the fall of 1974. Elizabeth soon had a sister as Sarah Lynn was born in 1976. Helen chose to enjoy Motherhood by staying at home with the girls. She kept up her teaching skills when the girls started school by volunteering at the elementary schools for the next 15 years. Since Helen felt her girls needed to be more challenged in the classroom, she helped establish the Gifted Child Program in the Bozeman School District. At home she challenged her girls by giving them piano lessons for many years. She also offered her inspirational support and was a volunteer Board Member for such community organizations as Girl Scouts, Community Children’s Choir, Bozeman Friends of Music, Montana Ballet Company and Sweet Pea Festival.

In 1985, Helen returned to the workforce on a part-time basis until she became the Director of Sales at the Hampton Inn, working full-time from 1998-2004. Using her talents in photography, she created the Hampton Inn brochure. During those years she became the “salesperson” for the Museum of the Rockies as she encouraged out of town guests to tour the Museum.

In 1989 Helen joined the volunteer staff at the Museum of the Rockies, becoming one of the first people to work in the Discovery Room which opened that year. Besides the Discovery Room (for almost 20 years), she also volunteered at the front desk, the 3-D Show, the Tinsley House (during Farm Festivals) and the Archives in Photography. In 1991, the Director of MOR sent her a letter for her commendable efforts on a 2-year photography project which resulted in “good will for the Museum of the Rockies.” In April 2019, Helen was the first recipient of the “Shelley McKamey Award for Excellence in Volunteer Service” in appreciation of 30 years of service.

In January 2005, Helen started working part-time as Receptionist at Aspen Pointe where she considered the residents to be her extended family, enjoying their friendships over the years. Last month she received her 20-year certificate and a glowing work performance review, being called a “perfect employee!”

The beginning of 1991 was a special time as Helen and Dennis became grandparents for the first time with the birth of their grandson, Nicholas Linsky. Five more grandchildren followed as Marissa Linsky, Erika Erhardt, Michael Erhardt, Rebekah Erhardt and Ren Linsky were born to parents Elizabeth and Ray Linsky and Sarah and Keith Erhardt. Helen enjoyed sharing her interests with all six grandchildren: “Grandma’s Angels.” She liked hearing about the adventures of her nephew, Chris Ferber, and his family: wife, Christy, and children, Jacob and Teagan. In the fall of 2024, she was excited to become a great-grandmother when Beau Baley-Erhardt and Sophie Parks-Larrsen were born. Helen’s sister Sue and her brother John shared many conversations with Helen and traveled on some trips together. Helen loved life, passionate about her interests and loved sharing about them.

Music has always played an important part in Helen’s life. As a child she was a gifted violinist who was chosen to participate in a concert with the Seattle Symphony. At age 4 she was called “the Little Singer” by her mother as she began her singing career in the Children’s Choir at Hope Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA. During her lifetime she sang choral music in schools, churches and the community. Although she also sang in the Sweet Adelines of Bridger Mountain Harmony Chorus for 17 years, her heart was always in church choral music, praising her Lord through song. A favorite Bible verse was Psalms 104:33: “I will sing to the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” Her love for dancing included ballroom and folk dancing, performing with the Sons of Norway Folk Dancers for several years.

Helen’s talent in photography brought her recognition and awards in past years. Besides portrait photography of children, weddings, reunions, etc., she was challenged to use her creativity in nature photography. In recent years, she enjoyed sending prints of her nature photographs to family and friends for inspiration on their birthdays, holidays or special occasions.

Helen will be remembered for her pumpkin bars which she always delivered in November to family, friends, neighbors, Church choir, radio stations, F-11, and other businesses as a way to show her appreciation for all the wonderful people in her life.

Services will be held Friday, February 21, 2025, 1:00 p.m., at Hope Lutheran Church, 2152 W. Graf Street, Bozeman. Visitation will be available Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., at Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service, 300 Highland Blvd., in Bozeman. Because Helen had beloved cats, “Pretty Kitty” and “Kitsy,” memorial gifts in Helen’s honor can be sent to Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, 1549 E. Cameron Bridge Rd., Bozeman, MT 59718, or to Hope Lutheran Church, 2152 Graf St, Bozeman, MT 59718.