Ethel Brotvold Ferree

Ethel Bratvold Ferree, 78, of Great Falls, passed away Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Benefis. A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2017 at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Ethel Bratvold Ferree was born June 5, 1939, to Clarence M. Bratvold and Laura Hursman Bratvold in Devil’s Lake, N.D. The family eventually moved to Fort Benton, MT, where Ethel attended Fort Benton High School. At 16 years old, Ethel met and maried Gary B. Ferree. Gary was in the Army and was stationed in Germany. Ethel followed, traveled by train to New York and then sailed on the Queen Mary to Paris. It was an awesome adventure for a 16-year-old from Montana. They spent 2 years in Germany and traveled to Switzerland and various other countries visiting beautiful castles and other fascinating sights. Her fondest memories were of fresh brochen delivered by their landlord’s maid daily, the beautiful yards adorned by magical dwarves, and best of all Oktoberfest with huge glasses of warm dark beer. She always dreamed of returning someday but never did. She worked at various places such as the Buttreys store located on the west side of Great Falls and the Treasures Grocery on Smelter Avenue. In 1970, Ethel returned to school where she studied nursing where she got her license as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at Park Place nursing Home until she retired. In 1973, they bought land in the Wolf Creek area where they built a cabin. In 1982, they moved there and made it their home for more than 25 years. Gary was an amateur radio operator and Ethel eventually gained her license. Her call was KA7HEX; Gary’s was W7DED. They eventually moved back to Great Falls due to health concerns. Ethel was an ESVP volunteer. She loved caring for her grandson Daniel. Our dog Buddy was her constant companion and she was an artist painting with oils, pastels and watercolors. Before rheumatoid arthritis attacked her hands, you would see her knitting sweaters, hats and afghans while watching her beloved football games. She lovingly cared for her rose gardens, her favorite flower. She is survived by daughter Sheila Stone; grandson Daniel W. Stone; sisters Ione Poole (Ken) and Karen Birkeland Wolf (Elmer); her beloved niece Peggy Laurine Marcinkowski; and other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her 12-year-old sister Lois Bratvold; her parents; grandson Sean Michael Ferree; son Kirk Ferree; and her husband of 57 years. The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Benefis Hospital, her doctors Kathleen Blair, Elton Adams, Dr. Ray and Dr. Shawn Nesbo, who was a great comfort to the family and cared for Ethel until she passed to be with her family in Heaven and her Lord and Savior. Memorials can be made in her memory to Redeemer Lutheran Church.