Gingerlee Yde, 73

Gingerlee Yde, 73, of Helena peacefully passed away March 20, 2022, at home surrounded by family members.

Ginger was born Aug. 11, 1948, in Hazelton, N.D., to Carroll Keith and Ruth Elaine (Podritz) Smith. She attended school in Bismarck, N.D., and earned a double associate’s degree in social work from Flathead Valley Community College in Libby. In 1965, she married Anton Holzer in Bismarck. They moved to Libby, where they raised their family, which included several of Ginger’s siblings. They later divorced.

Ginger met Chris Yde in 1988. They married March 14, 1990, and resided in Helena.

Ginger was the matriarch of the family. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, watching the birds, camping and going to the NASCAR races and grandchildren’s sports games. She worked at many restaurants in Libby and Helena throughout her career. She thoroughly enjoyed waitressing and working with people.

Ginger is survived by her husband of 32 years, Chris Yde; daughter, Angela Holzer; son, Brian Holzer; stepdaughter, Briana (Dan) Rickman; mother-in-law, Eleanor Yde; sister, Cindy Smith; brothers, Bruce (Karen) Smith, Michael (Pam) Smith, Robert (Becky) Smith, Quin (Lisa) Podritz; brother-in-law, Eric (Anna) Yde; sister-in-law, Janet Yde; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Ginger and her husband were also foster parents of 31 children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Narles Yde-Layne; and brothers, Kelly C. Smith and Roy J. Smith.

Visitation will be from noon to 3 p.m., March 27 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., March 28 at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Helena.

Pallbearers will be Jon Roberts, Eric Grotjohn, Brandon Vincent, Brandon Holzer, Scotty Rucker and Calvin Rucker.

Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Layne and her great-grandsons, Weston, Rylan, Cynch, Jace, Kypton, Greason, Adrian and Arrow.

Interment will follow the service at Helena Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ginger’s name may be made to Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital or Benefis Gift of Life Housing.

Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Ginger.