Obituaries
Helen Hanft
Helen Lee Hanft, 95, of Dayton, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at her home at the Beehive (Willow Creek Elder Care) in Sheridan, WY.
Helen was born to Thomas A. and N. Marie (Harris) Davis on November 19, 1927, in Dayton. She graduated from Dayton High School in May of 1944. She attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, returning to Sheridan to graduate from Heimen’s Business College. Helen Lee Davis and John Edward Hanft were joined in marriage on August 12, 1946, at the First Methodist Church in Hardin, MT. At the time of their marriage, they were both employed at Sheridan Wyoming Coal Company in Monarch.
Shortly thereafter, they purchased and rebuilt the Corner Grocery in Dayton and operated the store for several years. While John worked construction after selling the store, Helen was employed by the Superintendent of the Dayton (later Tongue River) School District. They then began ranching on the outskirts of Dayton. Upon leaving the ranch in 1960, the couple purchased Bear Lodge Resort and did an extensive renovation. They made many long-lasting and loving friendships while at the lodge. They also built the original Blue Spruce, currently Elkview Resort. After selling Bear Lodge, they purchased Twin Buttes cabins and deeded land located within the Big Horn National Forest. After selling the cabins they bought ranches near Banner and Story where they raised Charolais cattle. While in Story they developed the Hanft and Piney Creek Subdivisions with their son and daughter-in-law Larry and Vicki Hanft. John and Helen sold the Story ranches in 1989 to Larry and Vicki and continued living on their ranch in Banner. In June 1986, John and Helen built the Elkhorn Trailer Park on top of the Big Horn Mountains. They thoroughly enjoyed their summers at the Elkhorn with family and friends. In 1993 they sold their Banner ranch and moved to Larry and Vicki’s ranch on Wolf Creek, later moving with them to the Little Tongue Ranch outside of Dayton.
Helen’s life was her family. There was no greater pride or joy than that which she shared with her husband, her children, her grandchildren, and her 5 great-grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband John, their parents, her granddaughter Dr. Laura Lee Polster Clifford, and her sister-in-law Martha Chalfant. She is survived by her daughter Sandra Lee (Fred) Prunty of Sheridan, and her son Larry Edward (Vicki) Hanft of Dayton: her 3 grandchildren, Dr. Marsha Lee (Leonard) Sano of Canby, OR, Shawn Edward (Mary) Hanft of Dayton, and John James “Jay” (Colee) Hanft of Aberdeen, MT; her great-grandchildren Colter John Hanft, Avery John Clifford, Johnna Lee Clifford, Nicholas Frederick Sano, and Mesa Diane Hanft: her nephew Fred (Laurie) Chalfant of Lake Havasu, AZ, her niece Tempe (Mark) Murphy of Sheridan, and great nephew Earl (Lacey) Chalfant of Lake Havasu.
The family would like to give special thanks to her extended family at the Beehive for their love, dedication, and care over the past nine years. The family would also like to thank Brenda Perea and Martha Cover-Killian of Sheridan Home Health Care and Hospice for their love and assistance the past few years.
A Celebration of Life Open House with a public viewing will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2023, from 2 – 4 pm at the Kane Funeral Home. Interment will take place on Monday, March 27, 2023, in the Elks Section of the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.
Memorials may benefit the Dayton Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 100, Dayton, WY 82836.
Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com. Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
tammi brunson
March 20, 2023 at 9:57 am
I am so sorry for your families loss. Helen was such a nice lady.
Thoughts and Prayers are with you.
Tammi Brunson
Fanci Curl Styling Salon
Karen Day
March 20, 2023 at 10:16 am
So sorry for your loss. She was always so full of life and fun to be around. I’ll always remember visits with her and our epic road trip for Larry’s wedding. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. Karen Day
Yodi
March 20, 2023 at 2:01 pm
Thoughts and prayers to all of you she will be missed
Dana Clark
March 20, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful lady. Brightened my day so many times.
Joan Tellez
March 20, 2023 at 4:28 pm
So sorry to hear the news! I learned a lot from Helen and John and appreciated so much being able to work at Bear Lodge. That was a great job and I have a lot of great memories being there. Sandy, Larry, and families you are in my thoughts and prayers. It is hard to lose our parents but now you both are at the helm for your families. Your parents left good footprints for you to follow. Love and prayers. Joan Tellez
John M & Robby B Smith
March 21, 2023 at 8:23 am
What a great lady, she was always so nice to me and in later years was a good customer of our bookstore!
Gary and Marsha McCoy
March 21, 2023 at 9:08 am
We are so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was such a great lady and an icon in the community. She will be greatly missed.
Dori Harston
March 21, 2023 at 9:31 am
It is so difficult to realize that someone like Helen who left her mark on our souls has cross over the veil to join loved ones on the other side. I can just see Helen and my parents laughing about the great times at Bear Lodge. She and Larry were so good to my parents, Barb and Elvin. Now I know who has been placing flowers on their Graves for years. Thank you, Helen.
Doris Harston
Gary and Donna Madia
March 21, 2023 at 1:29 pm
So many things can be said about Helen.Wonderful wife and mother,grandmother,hard worker,loyal,friend,and certainly was not afraid to stand up for her beliefs.She will always be remembered first,as the lady who put on a great meal at Bear Lodge when they owned it and then for us who were privileged to be her neighbor at the Elk Hoen which she and John built and called home during the summer.Yes,we will miss you Helen but you and John are together on the highest mountain.Rest in peace dear friend.
Cindy Butler
March 22, 2023 at 8:29 pm
Deepest sympathies to all the family.
Ellie and John Horsley
March 23, 2023 at 7:40 am
We have so many wonderful memories of Helen from our time at Elkhorn. She was so feisty and stood her ground when she needed to. She was a friend to every resident in the court up there and was loved by every one of them. Thank you letting us be a part of it. Tell John hello for us and rest in peace Helen.
Jill LaToush
March 23, 2023 at 9:31 am
I am sorry for your loss. Helen was a amazing woman and I was lucky to have her as a long time friend. Heaven has gained a beautiful angel.
Jim Drake
March 23, 2023 at 10:57 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. She was such a sweet lady. I always enjoyed my conversations with Helen and John, and have many fond memories of them. My most sincere condolences to everyone in the family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
JERI HAUGEN
March 24, 2023 at 3:08 pm
I am so sorry to learn of your Mother’s passing. Helen was such a warm and caring lady. I have so many memories of the times spent at Bear Lodge with her, your Father,Larry and Sandy.
Linda Newman
March 24, 2023 at 9:23 pm
Thinking of you Sandy and Larry on the passing of your dear Mother. Wishing you and your family strength and peace.
Douglas Minick
March 25, 2023 at 6:23 pm
Sandy, Fred, Larry and Vicki, my sincere condolences to you and your family. Helen and John were great people and I have many fond memories knowing them from childhood. They lived an exceptional life and left behind a wonderful legacy in their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Helen and John you will be missed but not forgotten.
Doug and Carol Minick
Jo Ann Taylor
March 26, 2023 at 11:03 am
Larry, Vicky, Sandy, Fred, and grandkids. I am so sorry for your loss. Helen Lee was a great person, I always enjoyed our visits, she was the hardest working person I know. Always busy. My parents will be glad to see her, my love goes out to all of you.
Carolyn Robbins
June 2, 2023 at 2:23 pm
Whenever we visited my parents at Elk Horn, a visit with Helen (and John before his passing)was a must. She was always welcoming and caring and interested in us and our family. She was fair, just, and a great example of how people should live their lives. We became friends and continued to visit her after she moved off of the mountain. Not having her there when we next visit will be very sad for all of us.