Helen Eileen Scotson

Helen Eileen Scotson, age 85, of Lewistown, Montana, passed away and joined the Lord on October 19th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Helen was born on June 26, 1940, in the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lewistown, MT, to Orville and Marguerite (Burrows) Thompson. They lived in Judith Gap and Harlowton, MT. At age 17, Helen married the love of her life, Jim Scotson, on January 17, 1958. Later that same year, she graduated from Harlowton High School. Helen and Jim had two children, Marcella and Michelle. They made their home in Harlowton while Jim worked for the Milwaukee Railroad and Helen worked at Ray’s Sport and Western Wear and later was the Activities Director at the Wheatland Memorial Nursing Home. In 1980, when the Milwaukee Railroad left the area, they moved to Milwaukee, WI, and then to Cottage Grove, MN. While in the midwest, Helen was an Activities Assistant at the Franscican Villa Nursing Home and an Office Assistant and Furniture Refinisher at Strippers Furniture. After Jim’s death, Helen moved to Harlowton, MT, to be closer to her mother and family. She also worked at the Wheatland Memorial Nursing Home as an Activities Assistant. In 1996 she moved to Lewistown, MT. She was a clerk at Party Land and later retired to enjoy her children and grandchildren. Helen was always active in and enjoyed her time serving the Lord at the Trinity Episcopal Church (Vestry) in Harlowton, MT, St. James Episcopal Church (Vestry) in Hastings, MN, and as a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Lewistown, MT. She also enjoyed her time and involvement in the Harlowton Women’s Club and the Women of the Moose, as well as being a charter member of the Jawbone Creek Golf Course in Harlowton, MT.

Helen was a very meticulous antique furniture refinisher and created beautiful treasures throughout her life for her home and for others. She also enjoyed creating unique items through oil and tole painting. In addition, she was a passionate collector of all that was beautiful and “cool.” She LOVED going to estate sales, garage sales, and thrift stores to find the most interesting items for herself and everyone else! We NEVER knew what we were about to get for our birthdays and Christmas, but it was always fun and thoughtful, and many times made us laugh! Going thrifting with her kids and grandkids was pure joy for her!

Helen’s greatest happiness came from spending time with her family, friends, and her puppy dogs over the years: Roscoe, Cinder, Gypsy, Brandy, Yorkie, Missy, and Sammy. She enjoyed having family meals, providing the best birthdays and holidays (including her famous birthday “shape” cakes, such as butterfly, lady bug, and bunny), camping adventures, playing Bridge with her friends (including mints and mixed nuts!), and dancing! She loved to dance with Jim, her husband, especially on New Year’s Eve! She talked about that up to the time of her death and couldn’t wait to dance with him again.

Helen was a wonderful and kind daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She dedicated her life to creating a welcoming, warm, and nurturing home for her husband, two children, grandchildren, and her pets. She will be missed so much on this earth, but now has her wish, dancing with her beloved Jim, once again. We love you so much, mom!

Helen is survived by her daughters: Marcella (Edward) Scotson and Michelle (Steve) Trafton; sister, Rae Thompson; Grandchildren: Lee (Val) Fastenau, Tanner Trafton, Taylin Trafton, Courtney (Kyle) Moline, Kyle (Nicole) Trafton; Great Grandchildren: Nolan Fry, Harper Trafton, Mya Moline, Owen Trafton, and Brody Trafton; and her cherished nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Scotson; her parents, Orville and Marguerite Thompson; Mother-in-Laws, Dorothy Scotson and Babe Scotson; Father-in-Law, Clifford Scotson; sister, Jean Drinkwalter, and brother Ken Thompson.

A celebration of Helen’s life will be held on October 29th at 11:00 am at the Zion Lutheran Church in Lewistown, MT, with a reception to follow. A graveside service will be held in Harlowton, MT, at 3:00 pm on October 29th. Donations may be made to two organizations that were close to Helen’s heart, her grandson’s “Class of 2019 Scholarship” fund for Fergus High School graduates through the Central Montana Foundation and the Central Montana Food Cupboard.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com