Darlene Hilma "Dee" Hettrick passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on November 24, 2017 of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and at Dee's request, no services will be held. Dee's family has suggested that memorial donations be made in her name to the St. Jude Children's Hospital in Helena, or to Bear Paw Hospice in Havre. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Dee's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.
Dee was born November 5, 1927 in Dows, Iowa to Darcy and Ione Mosier. She was the oldest of six surviving children. Darcy constructed grain elevators, so throughout Dee's childhood the family moved every few weeks to the next project. Her favorite childhood memory was spending time with her maternal grandparents at their homestead. Dee left home at 13, and her first job was working as a janitor at a Japanese internment camp in Nevada. She was also a waitress and worked as a casino shill in Nevada until she met John Michael "Jack" Fisher. Jack was discharged from the Marines in 1945, and he and Dee were married. They moved to Big Sandy, Montana and in June 1946, Earl Ben "Skip" Fisher was born. Thereafter, DaNita Ann Fisher was born in May 1955, John Michael Fisher was born in September 1956, and Ron William Fisher was born in September 1959. Dee was widowed in 1963, and married Walter Edmond Hettrick in Elko, Nevada on June 25, 1964. She had two more children, Dorien Hilma Hettrick in April 1965, and Walter James Hettrick in August 1966.
When Dee and Walter married they moved to the Hettrick Ranch, where Dee resided until her death. She dedicated her life to raising her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and any child who needed a safe haven. She was passionate about reading, crafting, scrapbooking, and gardening, and was the master fisherwoman of the family. She enjoyed bowling and the horse races, but the most important job she had was being a mother. She never missed any of her childrens' sporting events, attending rain or shine, healthy or sick.
Dee was preceded in death by both husbands, her son Skip Fisher, and her son John Fisher. Her legacy includes 14 grandchildren and multiple great and great-great grandchildren.
Dee's favorite poem:
Somebody's Mother
by Mary Dow Brine
The woman was old and ragged and gray,
And bent with the chill of the winter's day.
The street was wet with the recent snow,
And the woman's feet were aged and slow.
She stood at the crossing and waited long,
Alone, uncared for, amid the throng
Of human beings who passed her by,
Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eye.
Down the street with laughter and shout,
Glad in the freedom of "school let out,"
Came the boys like a flock of sheep,
Hailing the snow piled white and deep.
Past the woman so old and gray,
Hastened the children on their way,
Nor offered a helping hand to her,
So meek, so timid, afraid to stir,
Lest the carriage wheels or the horses feet,
Should crowd her down in the slippery street.
At last came one of the merry troop,
The gayest laddie of all the group.
He paused beside her and whispered low,
"I'll help you across if you wish to go."
Her aged hand on his strong young arm,
She placed, and so, without hurt or harm,
He guided her trembling feet along,
Proud that his own were firm and strong.
Then back again to his friends he went,
His young heart happy and well content.
"She's somebody's mother, boys, you know,
For all she's aged and poor and slow.
"And I hope some fellow will lend a hand,
To help my mother, you understand,
If ever she's poor and old and gray,
When her own dear boy is far away."
And "somebody's mother" bowed low her head,
In her home that night, and the prayer she said was,
"God be kind to the noble boy,
Who is somebody's son and pride and joy."
