Richard J. Bourquin

Richard (Dick) J. Bourquin

March 16, 1944 - April 27, 2023

Richard (Dick) J. Bourquin, passed away on Thursday afternoon, April 27, 2023 at home. Dick was born to Arthur E. and Ester Moore Bourquin on March 16, 1944 in Helena, Montana, at St. John's Hospital. Dick will be missed dearly by his friends and family.

His family lived in Marysville and he attended Marysville grade school. The family then moved to Helena and he graduated from Helena High School in 1962. He joined the Montana National Guard with some of his buddies in July of 1962 and spent six years serving the State of Montana. Dick was a Helena Valley kid and worked for Martins IGA one of the popular employers in the valley for kids and young adults.

While working at Martins IGA, Dick met the love of his life Karen. They went on a double date with one of his best friends in 1965 and the rest is history. They were married on July 30th, 1966. In that same year Dick and Karen built their family home in the Helena Valley where they lived until his passing. Dick truly enjoyed spending time with his family.

Dick and Karen had one son, Michael Bourquin in September of 1968. In 1973 Dick joined the West Valley Volunteer Fire Department, where he and Karen made life-long friends who they still have contact with today. He was very proud of his 15 year career on West Helena Valley Fire Department. In October of 1987, his son Mike was able to join the fire department and they were able to respond to calls together.

Dick left Martins IGA to go work for the State of Montana for Fish, Wildlife and Parks where he had a great 31 year career and retiring as supervisor of the Print Shop and Mail Room. Dick and Karen spent many weekends camping during the summers with their Fire Department friends. Dick truly enjoyed and loved to camp. Every August, Dick and Karen and the Fire Department friends spent a week at Holland Lake where there was much laughter and mischief raised. He enjoyed and loved all of his camping buddies.

Dick is preceded in death by his mom; dad; sister, Sandra and brother, Arthur; sister-in-law, Sharon Butler and brother-in-law, Jimmy LaValley.

Dick is survived by his wife, Karen of 56 years; son, Mike (Stacy); grandchildren: Jordan, Hailey, and Seth (Amber) Bourquin; great-grandchildren: Stetson and Dawson; sister-in-law, Kristie LaValley and nephews: Tom (Gayle) Butler, Brandon (Corinne) and Sean (Tijana) and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 4th at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Road. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial will follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to West Valley Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 4024, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Dick.