Marjorie D. "Marge" Mihelish

Marjorie "Marge" D. Mihelish

June 23, 1921 - May 23, 2023

HELENA - Marge Mihelish passed exactly one month before her 102nd birthday on May 23, 2023. It was a long and glorious life.

Marjorie Luwave Winschell was born in Blackfoot, ID, to Lester and Wavy Winschell on June 23, 1921. She was delivered at home by her grandmother, Isadora, who was the community midwife. The family homesteaded and ran their sheep operation near Soda Springs, ID. Marge was the middle child with two brothers, Laverne and Keith. Ranch life, livestock, and hard work were no strangers to her as a youth.

After graduating from Blackfoot High School, she worked as a telephone switchboard operator until she met Frank Mihelish. They were married in Dillon, MT, in 1941. They became loving, lifelong companions. Marge lived in Helena and Missoula during World War II, while Frank served the US Navy in San Diego. They reunited after the war and began their life together in Helena. They were married 65 years.

Family was Marge's top priority for her entire life. Being the best wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother were her biggest aspirations. Frank credited his business success to her undying support and attention to detail. She made sure he was dressed right, practiced good manners, and was well fed. She was above all… a great cook! She prided herself in feeding great meals to her family and friends. Marge rarely missed a sporting or extracurricular event her children or grandchildren were in.

Helena families could always count on Marge to travel and help chaperone high school events. Church and faith also remained important components in her life. It was a must that all her children were "confirmed Lutherans" before they reached high school. She was also intent on seeing her kids get the opportunity for college and a better future.

Marge also held a special place in her heart for Celia Miranda, an AFS foreign exchange student from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who lived with the family during 1961-1962. Celia always remained a part of their lives.

Marge belonged to many civic organizations. The one she was most proud of was her association with PEO, helping deliver college scholarships to young Montana women. She made many good friends there. Marge also belonged to social organizations such as the Green Meadow Country Club, the Montana Club, and the Gates of the Mountains. She was a loyal MSU Bobcat football fan for over 60 years. Marge also maintained an extreme love for dogs her entire life. She favored Australian Shepherds from her sheep days, but always had a soft spot for pound puppies from the animal shelter.

Husband Frank passed in 2006.

Marge is survived by her three children: Gary (Sandra) in Helena, Mardee (Jack Whitehouse) in Shell Beach, CA, and Bruce (Pamela) in Missoula. She has seven grandkids: Kurt, Kyle, Angela, Amy, Aaron, Brett, and Drew; and seven great-grandkids: Mikal, McKinlee, Merek, Jackson, Kennedy, Ellie, and Grace; and favorite nieces: Beth and Samantha Winschell.