In loving memory of Billie Louise Askam, born on July 11, 1959 and went to her Heavenly Father on December 23, 2010 at the age of 51 after a long battle with cancer.<\/p>\n
Billie was born in Spokane, WA to her parents Warren Cogswell and Beverly Crouse. She attended high school and College and graduated from Eastern Washington University with an early childhood teaching degree.<\/p>\n
She settled down with the love of her life, Steve Askam after meeting at Church camp in Hungry Horse, MT. They began their life together in Helena, Montana where Billie had three children. Billie became a stay at home mom to pursue more quality time with her kids. She started a daycare and touched the lives of many families. She radiated patience and self-control no matter what life threw at her.<\/p>\n
After her children were in school, she contemplated the idea of renewing her teaching degree and going back to the classroom. However, after her decision to return to school, a devastating turn of events ensued. Beautiful Billie was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Nevertheless, she would not be scathed or falter. She decided to be aggressive with chemo and surgery. Billie fought long and hard, always keeping her steadfast faith.<\/p>\n
She rose every morning for her daily bible study and relied on God for everything. She reached others through showing God\u2019s love, instead of preaching it. She drew much support from many dear ones at Neighborhood Assembly of God Church. Until the very end she had never given up praying for a cure.<\/p>\n
Shortly after receiving her cancer diagnosis, Billie took to exploring new and adventurous realms most never would have fathomed she would do. Billie traveled to Hawaii, parasailed; scuba dived, took a submarine ride, went to Cancun, Mexico, went on a horse drawn sleigh ride in Yellowstone, took a sled dog ride and many more explorative outings.<\/p>\n
Billie continued working through her treatments as a librarian assistant at Bryant elementary school and cherished many new found friendships there. She kept an immaculate house, quilted for unwed mothers, brought meals to those in need at church, wrote endless thank-you cards, and cooked delicious dinners for her family. Billie delighted in serving others and put their needs before hers. There was never a moment of selfishness in her character.<\/p>\n
Billie got to spend many happy days with her husband traveling, dining, camping and more, see two high school graduations, a wedding, the birth of her first grandchild, her son\u2019s many academic and, football achievements and her deepest longing to see her son grow up to be a teenager.<\/p>\n
She desired to have a \u201clast wish\u201d as her time on earth drew short. She wanted to spend a memorable family vacation in Mexico. Billie was overwhelmed and grateful by the community\u2019s support in making her dream become a reality.
A virtuous woman is clothed with strength and dignity, rises early in the morning, speaks with wisdom; faithful instruction is on her tongue, she provides food for her family and can laugh at the days to come. (Excerpts from proverbs 31) If ever there was a woman to embody such attributes Billie Askam was the woman to do so.<\/p>\n
She left all of us inspired by her perseverance, optimism and her zeal for life. Never again will we meet a woman with the same infectious, radiant smile. She inspired so many, and she is our hero. Billie Louise Askam was a renowned fighter and she made the world a better place.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.\u201d Psalm 23:6<\/p>\n
Survivors include her husband Steve Askam of Helena; daughters, Kezza Askam (Jeff Pumo) of Bozeman, Shemiah Burk (David) of Helena, and son, Ethan Askam of Helena; grandchild, Israel Burk; parents, Warren Cogswell (Judy) of Ritzville, WA, and Beverly Crouse (Cal) of Taso Robles, CA; in-laws, Robert and Eva Powell of Port Richey, FL; sister, Debbie Buscher (Dick) of WA, brother Greg Cogswell (Stacy) of WA; grandma Elsie Cogswell of WA; aunt Janice Radmer (Walt) of WA, uncles, Darrel Cogswell (Jackie) of WA, Jim Cogswell(Patsy) of WA; three cousins, many nieces and a nephew, extended family, and innumerable friends. Billie is preceded in death by her grandma Betty Tooke and, grandpa Jim Cogswell.<\/p>\n
A huge thank you to the nursing staff at St. Peter\u2019s Hospital for making our beloved Billie\u2019s journey easier to understand and comfortable to the end. Also a thank you to our church family, Billie\u2019s friends and family for blessing us all beyond our imaginations.<\/p>\n
To offer condolences to the family or share of memory of Billie please send to Steve Askam 276 Thomas Ct, Helena, MT 59602 or visit www.aswfuneralhome.com.<\/p>\n
Billie Askam\u2019s funeral will be held at Neighborhood Assembly of God Church located at 2475 Stuart St. in Helena, MT on December 28, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. A reception to follow at First Assembly of God Church, located at 2210 Dodge Ave.<\/p>\n","photo":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/295875_profile_pic.jpg","youtube_video_url":"","family_email":"","family_first_name":"","family_last_name":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case\/719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/case"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}