Anne Louisa Hassett, 91, of Dutton, passed away peacefully June 8, 2020 at Pondera Medical Center Extended Care, in Conrad after a brief fight with breast cancer.

Anne was born November 9, 1928 in Hamilton, MT to Earnest A. Hassett and Mary Dale Ward.   Anne attended high school in Darby, MT and graduated in 1947.  She attended college at the Eastern Montana College in Billings and earned her degree in teaching. During one of her first jobs as a teacher, in Wolf Creek, she met the love of her life, Jacob Lesofski.  The couple was married June 9, 1952 at the Saint Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton and had two children, Anthony and Monica.

On June 25, 1964, Jacob tragically passed away, leaving Anne to raise their children on her own. The loss of her husband never stopped her from achieving her dreams or being an amazing mother. Anne continued in her teaching career, going on to achieve her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from Mukagawa Fort Wright Institute in Spokane, WA.  She taught kindergarten for Saint Frances Parish and owned Aunt Anne’s Day Care in Helena for many years before retiring to Dutton, where she resided for the last 11 years.

Anne always submerged herself in her church parish, participating in many activities with the Women of the Catholic Church. She wrote and published seven books a few of which are named; “The Search for a Man Named Daddy”, “Almost Kings” and “The House on Mullan Road”. Anne was a carefree and adventurous spirit. She loved to travel, and even had the opportunity to extensively travel in Europe.  She could make a friend out of a perfect stranger, her loving nature drawing people to her. She was a great mother, grandmother and friend; she will be dearly missed.

Anne is survived by her son Anthony “Tony” (Jessie) Lesofski of Pendroy, MT; daughter Monica Cotton of Fayetteville, NC; grandchildren Mary Rice (George) of Helena, MT; Thomas, Robert and Charles Lesofski of Pendroy, MT; Theresa (Shane) Thomas of Pinebluff, NC; Christina (John) Birkhofer of Sterling, VA and John Cotton of Chicago, IL as well as great grandchildren Elizabeth, Hunter, Spencer, Hannah, Jacob and Sydney.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Earnest and Mary Hassett, her husband Jacob Lesofski and three brothers Earnest Hassett, George A. Hassett and John Sampson.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 11:00 o’clock am at Saint Williams Catholic Church in Dutton followed by a graveside service in Dutton Cemetery.

Per Anne’s wishes, in Lieu of flowers, “just send flowers”.

Condolences may be left on-line at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com