Brian Michael Coleman, 62

Published 10:32 am Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Brian Coleman, 62, died Jan. 31, 2013, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Mont., after a three-year battle with a cerebral aneurysm.

Brian was born Oct. 3, 1950, in Rochester, Minn., son of Evelyn and Donald Coleman. He attended Queen of Angels grade school and Pacelli High School in Austin, Minn., and graduated in 1968. He later graduated from Austin Community College and Mankato State College with degrees in accounting. Brian worked at Hormel Company and Shell Oil before starting a 17-year career as a financial analyst at IBM in Rochester.

Brian moved to Helena in 1996 with his high school classmate and life partner, Sheila Cotter. Brian opened “Farmer’s On the Gulch,” an insurance and investment business, which enabled Brian to become very active in the Helena community and brought him many trusted friends and colleagues.

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Brian is survived by Sheila Cotter, his partner of 20 years; sisters Jean (Wes) Halvorson, Marcia (Lee) Warnke, Carol (John) Whortenbury; brother Bruce (Terry) Coleman; their children; and grandchildren.

At Brian’s request, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Brian’s life for clients and friends will take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 375 N Montana Ave. A reception will immediately follow in the social hall of the funeral home. A private family ceremony will be held in Minnesota in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brian’s name to the Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital in care of St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family condolences or share a memory of Brian.