Barbara B. Faas-Creel, age 97,  passed away at her home in Helena on Monday, December 16th of natural causes.  Cremation has taken place and her service is planned for Sunday, December 29th, at 1:00 pm at the First Christian Church of Helena, MT.  Interment will be held at a later date.

Barbara was born May 15, 1927 in Helena, Montana to Morris E. Sanford and Irma E. (Hunter) Sanford.  She grew up in Helena and graduated from Helena High School in 1945 (go Bengals!). She then attended college in Eugene, Oregon for two years before returning to Helena where she married Frank Tobin March 7, 1948.  Following her divorce from Frank, she married Louis D. Faas on December 25, 1969. They lived in California for several years before moving back to Montana in the mid 1980's.  They lived in East Helena until Louis's passing in 1992.  On July 10, 2005 she married Donald D. Creel. They enjoyed eleven years of travel and family fun before Don's passing in 2016.

Barb was a stay-at-home mom and held receptionist, secretarial and other office positions for USF&G, the state legislature, the centennial office and Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.  She was proficient on all computer, IPad and IPhone functions.  She joined the electronic age with glee!  She stayed alert and was in contact with all of her many friends and family until her death.

Barb was a life-long sports enthusiast.  She and her sister, Betty, played Tennis in high school, following in their father's footsteps (he won three consecutive MT Intercollegiate Tennis Championships in 1921, 22, and 23) and were city doubles champions when Betty was a senior in high school.  Barb started bowling on a league when her children were young, taking Mike along with her when he was in Jr. High.  Her accomplishments are too numerous to list but, she got six strikes in a row during a tournament.  In the last 10 years, she bowled an all spare game twice.  Her bowling average in her 90's was over 150.  She was so competitive that she had to be the last bowler to save the team.  She was probably the anchor on every team she ever bowled on.  Her teammates called her "Coach Creel".  And Golf!  Barb LOVED to golf. At the age of 78 she took 1st place, 1st Flight in the 2005 League Championship at Bill Roberts.  She and her partner, Carolyn Donwen also took 1st Place in the Derby. At the age of 91 she shot a 45 on the front 9 in league play…her smile and good nature were what life is all about. And let's not forget that she had a hole-in-one twice.

Music was also a large part of Barb's life.  She played French horn in high school, sang with church choirs and the Helena Symphony Chorale.  She traveled to Australia and Italy with the Chorale.  And she absolutely loved to dance!

She was a life-long member of the First Christian Church of Helena. In addition to singing in the choir, she directed the children's choir and served in many other capacities.  She learned as a child that giving to the church was a very important part of being a member.

In addition to her spouses, she was preceded in death by her parents Morris Sanford and Irma (Hunter) Sanford; her sister Betty Paulsen, her brother Tom Sanford and her son-in-law, Joe Mazurek.

She is survived by her daughters, Pam VonBergen of Helena, MT; Patty Mazurek of Helena, MT; son Michael (Peggy) Tobin of Sunburst, MT; grandchildren - Tami Patton (Chris), Jamie Ginnaty, Tom (Katie), Jeff (Danielle) and Dan (Melissa) Mazurek, Michelle Huck (Shaun) and Meghan Barnes (Travis); great grandchildren - Koa (Kate), Sam & Malia Patton; Jared, Jacob & Adryan Ginnaty; Elle, Sophie & Tommy Mazurek; Tyler & Kylie Mazurek, Addi Mazurek, Deven & Jackson Huck; Kasen Barnes.  Barb was also "grandma" to the Faas children and they called her Grandma Babbits.  She has numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be sent to the First Christian Church of Helena at 311 Power, Helena MT  59601 or to Project Promise, PO Box 939, Helena MT 59624.

Condolences may be posted at www.simplecremationmt.com.