Andrea 'Andy' Lynn Amundson, of Helena, MT passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on June 20, 2024 after a long, 15 years (and 5 days), battle with cancer. She was 51 years old.

Andy was born April 29, 1973 in Helena, MT to Peggy Yuhas and Rey Amundson. Over the next 2 years, she became the big sister to Jodi, Lesli and Lori Amundson. During their childhood it was always the 4 blondies. They had each other to play with, beat up, irritate and share clothes (even though most were stolen) from each other. The best memories were camping, lake days, fishing and let's not forget singing to MTV. The beautiful scar she wore on her face most of her life came from her wanting to be a ballerina at a young age and twirling right into a rocking chair. Andy has always been tough, a protector and a friend.

In 1993, her first love, Payton Dayle Lamping, was born. Three years later, her second and next love, Shayne Marie Amundson, was born. Her two girls mean everything to her. As they were growing up, Andy would start water fights, snowball fights and would hide in the house just so she could scare Payton and Shayne and hear them laugh. It was these 3 against the world.

In 2009, Andy was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. At that time, she was given 6 weeks to live but Andy was not ready to go down without a fight. With her strength and encouragement of Dr. Weiner, she was able to survive for many more years saying to him, "I have to fight, I have my girls to raise and grandbabies to meet." She did just that.

Six years later, in 2015, she was blessed with her first grandbaby, Talon Jameson (T-Money). Andy was there for all of Talon's firsts. In 2017, Tinsley Raelyn, her Harry Potter bestie was born. Followed by Crue Quintin in 2021 and Ryker Dale in 2023. Being a grandmother was her favorite achievement in her life.

Throughout her life, Andy worked as a bartender, office manager at Century 21, and in retail at Walmart. Andy found her true calling later in life by helping others, especially with her job at Edgewood Senior Living. She was loved by the entire Edgewood community.

Andy had a love for many things: Harry Potter, Montana history, redoing furniture, movies, music, Christmas, the color black, plants, making lasagna, trivia, bald men and always thought of others when gift giving.

Those who truly knew Andy, knew how smart, beautiful, and stubborn she could be. She always said her soul was black but her heart was pure gold.

Preceded in death by her grandmother, Palma McGregor, her grandfather, Hugh (Tony) Cumming and her cousin Brian Thomas. She is survived by her daughters, Payton Lamping (Michael Erickson), Shayne (Ryan) Reed, her 4 grandbabies, her mom and dad, Peggy and Ron Yuhas, her father and stepmother (Rey and Arita Amundson), her sisters, Jodi Amundson, Lesli Amundson, and Lori Amundson (Keck), her nieces, Kayla (Tait) Strom, Madeline Austin, her nephew, Brody Lewis, all of her "adopted" children including Donna Stanfill and Dan McNelly, her best friend who is now family, Riley Thennis, and many other loving family members and friends.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 13 2024 at the American Legion Post #2 3095 Villard Ave. starting at 1pm.

We would like to thank all the Drs. and nurses who helped Andy along the way, especially Dr. Weiner. You called Andy, your little superstar and by golly she was. Thanks to Mt Ascension Long Term Care and Hospice for providing the best end of life care she could have received.

"Our pain is a small price to pay for her peace. We have the lives we touch while we are here. We are the people she touched."