Helen was born to Walter and Susan (Campbell) Chestnut August 17, 1909, in Hamilton Montana. They had three boys and six girls, Helen was the youngest.

Her early years were spent in the Bitterroot, Her 1st schooling was in Grantsdale Montana where she, and her brother Joe, walked quite a ways to school. When she was in second grade she attended Lowell grade school. During that time the flu pandemic hit, and she, and her brother, would go around checking on neighbors, and running errands. Most of the neighbors died from the influenza.

When she was 8 years old she went with her mother, and Joe to Hogan Montana, there, her dad took up a homestead. At 12 she moved to Missoula to live with her sister Lessie, and enrolled in school. In 1925 she move in with Sarah Earheart, and began working at the NP Hospital as the first nurses aid.

Her work history includes, ten years at Press Raidio Club, and ten years at Eddys Bakery. She was a homemaker, and raised her children.

On November 28, 1928 she married Bernard Reesman. They had two children, Shirley and Kenneth. They divorced January 1st, 1946. She met Tom Mongar, the love of her life, and married him, May 1946. They had 22 years together. Tom was killed July 3, 1969 in an airplane accident working for Montana Power Co. They were living in Great Falls.

She met Kenneth Self, and married him May 20, 1972 in Missoula. They spent 20 years traveling to Arizona, Florida, and Alaska. Helen cared for Ken until he succumb to cancer July 2001. She moved in with her Granddaughter, Diane Gunter, Oct 2001. She had 19 years of love, fun, excitement and new challenges as she brought out the best in those around her.

Her family was important, and she believed in a positive attitude, as she stood by them.

Her hobbies were ceramics, making afghans, gardening, cooking, playing cards, and dancing at the Elks and Senior Center. She loved meeting friends and reaching out to help those in need. She belonged to the Senior Center, Eastern Star: Rebecca lodge, American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary.

Her son Kenneth Reesman presided her in death, and she is survived by her daughter Shirley (Bill) Gunter.

There will be no services at Helen's request, and donations may be made to the Senior Center or to your choice. She loves you all and will be waiting patiently to reunite.