DEt Meskimen

On the morning of Friday, March 29, 2024, DEt Meskimen lost her battle with cancer at the Ruby Valley Medical Center in Sheridan, MT.

DEt Ann Cook was born to Art and LaBina Cook in Bozeman, MT, on April 16, 1947. She grew up in Willow Creek, MT, riding horses, raising sheep, and enjoying her youth playing with her cousins. Growing up, DEt was active in Rainbow and 4-H. DEt attended grade school and high school in Willow Creek. After high school graduation, she attended Montana State University to pursue a degree in Home Economics. DEt met the love of her life in Willow Creek, Clarence "Tuff" Meskimen. After fulfilling her father's request of graduating college and Tuff's return from Vietnam. They were married on July 5, 1969.

Tuff and DEt moved to Townsend, Montana, where she taught Home Economics and coached track. They later moved to East Helena, where they were blessed with the birth of their daughter Ara in 1976 and son Ace in 1978. DEt spent most of the children's young years as a "Stay at Home Mom." During this time, she became a member of several quilt groups and started her "collection" of fabric and quilting supplies. Once the kids were older, she returned to work first at St. Peters Hospital, then venturing across town and worked for Lewis and Clark County Motor Vehicle Department. Tuff's health required her to retire and assist him in his health needs. They traveled and spent as much time with her Granddaughter Sophie and Hadley. After Tuff's passing in 2010, DEt volunteered with Lewis and Clark Search and Rescue. In 2021, DEt moved back to the Gallatin Valley to Three Forks to be closer to her children and granddaughters.

DEt is survived by her daughter Ara and son Ace, two special granddaughters Sophie Belle and Hadley Nicole, Brother-in-laws Bernie (Peggy) Meskimen and Jack (Gwen) Meskimen, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

DEt is preceded in death by her parents, husband Tuff, and infant son Luke Meskimen.

Memorials can be made to Lewis and Clark County Search and Rescue and Ruby Valley Medical Center in Sheridan.

Service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena, followed by a graveside service at Mount Green Cemetery in Willow Creek at 3:00 pm. Please visit http://www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of DEt.