Mary Louise (Zimmer) Granberg passed away on August 13, 2016, at St. James Healthcare surrounded by her loving family.
Mary was born to George and Ida (McQuarrie) Zimmer on April 9, 1930, in Cashmere, Washington. Mary was the third of seven children. Along with her dad, Mary helped care for the family after her mom's passing in 1941.
While living in Olympia, Washington, Mary met the love of her life, Melvin Granberg. The married on November 23, 1949. Melvin brought Mary to Butte and with the help of Mel's grandma, Hilda, they started a new life together on Redwood Street in East Butte where they raised six children, Mel, Ron, Sandy, Alan, Karen, and Kim.
Mary enjoyed many summers camping at Canyon Ferry and later Flathead Lake. She spent many years bowling for the Hi-Ho Lounge, Hall Brothers, Red Rooster, and Duggan Dolan Mortuary among others. She was a cub scout leader, an active member of the Harrison School PTA, a long-standing Rebekah Odd Fellows Lodge member, and avid bowler. Mary and best friend Betty Hall walked and completed the 22 mile Walk for Mankind, enjoyed their times at the Hi-Ho Lounge, and in later years performed together in the Butte Strikettes.
She enjoyed many years of living in East Butte before having the family home moved to the East Ridge in 1978 where her and Melvin had some of their best backyard campfires. It was there they met many neighbors who became lifelong friends, including Bob and Bev York. As neighbors and friends, they many good times.
Mary and Melvin enjoyed 63 happy years together before his passing in 2013. It was then that Mary became part of the Greenwood Assisted Living family following Melvin's passing. It was there she made some great friends with the staff and residents. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Mary was preceded in in death by her mom and dad, George and Ida, step-mom Edna, brothers Don and Howard Zimmer, step-brother Don Schmidt, and husband Melvin Granberg.
She is survived by her children Melvin (Deborah) Granberg, Ron (Rosemary) Granberg, Sandy (Pete) Parini, Karen Granberg (Dave Bustle), and Kim (Robert) Thurman; grandchildren Melanie (Chris) Granberg, Mathew (Mandy) Granberg, Derek, David, and Lauren Smith, Amy (Robbie) Gunderson, Melissa (Brian) Demarais, Dave (Cori) Hulverson, Dan Hulverson, Pete (Beth) Parini, Scott Parini, Tony (Kelli) Granberg, Eric (Laura) Granberg, Eric (Jennifer) Ryan, Teresa Robb (Mike Tauscher), Ashlie Charon (Devin Case), Kayla (Julius) Williams, Sean Lee, and Katie, Rachel, and Bradley Thurman; 26 great-grandchildren, brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Diane Zimmer, sisters Pat Pedroso, Gladys Clark, and Pauline Smith, and special friends Betty Hall, Marilyn Granberg, and Dennis Sullivan.
Mary's family and friends send many thanks for her excellent care to everyone at Greenwood Assisted Living: Doug and Julie, Jacinda, Diane, and Ashley.
Friends are asked to join the family on Wednesday at 10:00 am in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am with internment of ashes to take place in Mountain View Cemetery.