After he was elected to the Montana House of Representatives, Gene DeMars’ wife Jackie gave him a lovely print of the Montana Capitol building painted by famed Helena artist Robert “Bob” Morgan.
“I had seen the painting and I liked it, so she bought a print for me for Christmas,” said Gene, owner of Roger’s Jewelry in Lewistown.
Sadly, Jackie suffered from heart problems during her life. She passed away in May 2009.
Since she had been treated at the Benefis Heart & Vascular Institute, Gene and their four sons thought it would be appropriate to donate the print in her memory to the center that had provided her with such great care. The print now hangs in the Cardiovascular Care Unit lobby, located on the 4th floor of the Benefis East South Tower.
Benefis Healthcare Foundation and the Heart & Vascular Institute are grateful to the DeMars family for their wonderful donation.
“Our lobby has been brightened considerably through Mr. DeMars’ thoughtful donation,” said Peter Gray, Executive Director of the Heart & Vascular Institute. “Artwork has been proven to benefit the healing process, and we believe it also soothes anxious family members who wait for their loved one’s recovery. The addition of the painting has helped convert a corner of our lobby into a homey respite from clinical concerns.”
Benefis Foundation 
The print is beautiful — what a nice donation to honor the memory of Gene’s wife.