Sophie Helmbrecht obituary (2021) – Havre, MT

Sophie “Toby” Helmbrecht

Havre – Sophie “Toby” Helmbrecht, 96, from Havre, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, June 6th, 2021 in the care and comfort home. The cremation took place. Her vigil will take place on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. and her funeral mass on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Catholic Church of St. Jude Thaddäus. The burial takes place in the Highland Cemetery. Commemorative donations in honor of Toby can be made to the Catholic Church of St. Jude Thaddäus or at the choice of the donor. Holland & Bonine was entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Toby’s online memorial page and leave a message of condolences for her family at www.hollandbonine.com.

Toby was born on September 21, 1924 in Havre to Joseph and Janine Skindell. She attended school in Havre and graduated from Havre High School in 1942. Her professional life began during World War II as a crane operator and foreman at Kaiser Shipyards in Vancouver, Washington. After the war she returned to Havre and married Vern Helmbrecht (Helmbrecht Photography) in 1950. The couple were blessed with four children.

Toby has been involved in many civic organizations including St. Jude Thaddeus Church, Catholic Daughters, Havre Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Hill County Library, Superintendent of Floriculture at the Hill County Fair, Montana Fair Association, Retired Teachers Association, Parish Council of Catholic Women, RSVP, and worked as a reading teacher in Havre elementary schools for several years. After accompanying her children through high school, Toby worked for many years as the Assistant Director of Placement at Northern Montana College. After her retirement, she traveled extensively through Europe, Asia, Alaska, Hawaii and the continental United States. She will always be remembered for her warm smile, kind words, and compassionate concern for her community, friends, and family. She will also be remembered as a great cook who shares many recipes and as one of the best Polish lefse makers on the Hi-Line.

Toby preceded her parents in death; Husband, Vern; Sons, Dennis and Joseph; Sisters, Joan Leeds and Sister Mary Ann Skindell, Order of Saint Francis; and stepfather Harry Bukachuk.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Gary) Enneberg from Cutbank; Son, Steve Helmbrecht of Havre; Grandsons, Mark and Melissa Enneberg of Cutbank, Jason (Pamala) Enneberg of Dodson, Keegan Helmbrecht of Bellingham, Washington, Jade Helmbrecht of Brooklyn, New York, and Anders Helmbrecht of Richfield, Ohio; and great-grandchildren, Rebecca Enneberg from Cutbank and Ole, Emma and Solveig Enneberg from Dodson.

Published in the Great Falls Tribune June 16 to June 17, 2021.