Paula Ann Rachac House passed peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus surrounded by her immediate family on January 17, 2011.<\/p>\n
She was born in Helena on July 6, 1937 to Max Joseph Rachac and Peggy Woods Rachac.<\/p>\n
Paula spent her entire life in Helena where she attended St. Helena School and Cathedral High School. After graduating in 1955, Paula went on to be employed as a secretary for 12 years at Bryant and C.R. Anderson Schools. She then spent 20 years as the Executive Secretary to Bishops Elden Curtiss, Alex Brunett and Robert Morlino.<\/p>\n
For many years, Paula was an active member of the Cathedral Parish. There she was Baptized and Confirmed, and received her first Holy Communion. She served on the Pastoral Council; was a member of the RCIA Team which encouraged and instructed people exploring Catholicism; was a lector and a Eucharistic Minister, and assisted in other committees and ministries. In 2000, she joined Our Lady of the Valley Parish and also served in ministries there.<\/p>\n
In August of 1956, Paula married Richard House at the Cathedral. The following year, she gave birth to their first son, Jeff, who was followed by Vince, then Mike, and finally a daughter, Shawna. It meant so much to her that she was able to be a stay-at-home mom during her children\u2019s early years. She participated as a Den Mother in Cub Scouts, was a 4-H leader for her daughter, was a PTA member, school volunteer, and always attended her kid\u2019s school sporting events and activities.<\/p>\n
Paula was comforted and supported by attending a prayer group which began in 1978, which has met weekly since then. She found great joy in reading, sewing, crafts, traveling, friendships, and was particularly fond of her 12 grandchildren. She was an avid Carroll College Fighting Saints football and basketball fan. She especially enjoyed the trips throughout the United States with Marge Purcell Yeager, who became her best friend in high school and remained her tried and true friend for the remainder of her life. She enjoyed over 54 years of marriage to Dick and so appreciated his care and concern during this final illness. They traveled throughout Montana and visiting family and friends in other parts of the country. A special event was their cruise to Alaska to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, followed by a trip to Hawaii with family. Many people touched her life, but she was especially grateful to Marge Yeager, Father Jack Darragh, Bishop George Thomas, and the members of her prayer group. Paula was also thankful for her Thursday morning neighborhood coffee group, and the Red Hat Society, and many other friends including Pat Peterson, Lorraine and Jim Tucker, the late Sharon Hoff, Sue Zezeus and Sandra Copeland, who never wavered in their kindness and support.
Survivors include her husband, Dick of Helena; sons, Jeff (Connie) of Helena, Vince (Kathy) of Portland, Mike (Tracey) of Las Vegas; and daughter, Shawna (Jeff) Deadmond of Helena. Grandchildren, Michelle (Tim) McInerney of Boise, Amanda (Shawn) Nelson of Helena, Erica House of Las Vegas, Jessica (Nick) Shontz of Missoula, K\u2019Lynn House of Helena, and Aaron (Lesley), Mike and Derek House of Portland, Lindsey Crowley, Jason Van Zant and Allison (Jeremy) Stone of Las Vegas, and Angela (Jay) Smith of Butte. Also surviving are a sister, Clarice Wiseman of Cheyenne, WY; sisters-in-law, Mary Rachac of Billings and Debbie Walter (Steve Gray) of Helena; brother-in-law, Dennis (Laurie) House of Helena; 11 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Her parents, Max and Peg Rachac; mother-in-law, Dolores House; and brother, Ed Rachac all preceded her in death.<\/p>\n
Viewing hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 21st at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. The family will begin receiving friends at 6:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Rd. A Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 22nd at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Cremation will follow the Mass. Burial of her cremated remains will be in the spring at Resurrection Cemetery.<\/p>\n
Memorials in Paula\u2019s name are suggested to the Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 1502 Shirley Rd, Helena, MT 59602 or to the Diocese of Helena, P.O. Box. 1729, Helena, MT 59624.<\/p>\n
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.<\/p>\n","photo":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/305073_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\/744","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=744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}