Marie Heser, age 95, of Wolf Point, MT passed away September 4, 2010 at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point.
She finalized her earthly journey on Saturday evening two short weeks after celebrating her 95th birthday. She began her journey in Great Falls, Montana in 1915, the second of nine children born to William and Marie Maier. As an infant, she traveled by houseboat from Fort Benton (a starting point required to miss the Great Falls) with her parents and older brother. A late start required the young family to interrupt their journey down the Missouri River, and faced with the impending winter, they stopped in Wolf Point where they then settled in the Pleasant Valley community south of Wolf Point.
Marie graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1933 as valedictorian and attended Eastern Montana Normal School to become a teacher. She worked for the McCone County Superintendent of Schools in Circle eventually leaving to teach school in the northern part of the county where she met her husband Leo and they married in 1946. Together, they farmed and ranched in Vida until his death in 1983 – a home she remained in until moving to Faith Lutheran home in 2001.
Leo and Marie were blessed with four children. Doug and his wife Cherie reside in Forsyth, Ike is on the family farm and Marlene and husband Lee Maurer live in Spokane, Washington. Her son Clifford preceded her in death – his children and grandchildren live in the Billings area. Her younger sisters Victoria Maier (Spokane Valley, Washington) and Dolores Roeske (Woodbridge, Virginia) also survive her. Marie was blessed with six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. At the age of 95, Marie saw many loved ones leave this earth before her – husband Leo, six of her brothers and sisters (Joseph, William, Mathilda, Sister Mary Cordis, James and Francis), son Clifford and granddaughter Rhonda.
As with many children of the depression where life required hard work and resourcefulness, Marie was a very hard worker contributing to the work of the farm. She was a determined gardener and often won the battle of bringing in an annual harvest that fed her family well.
The family wishes to acknowledge the thoughtful and tender care provided by the staff of Faith Home during her last years.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.