Ethel M Tramelli

Ethel M. (Reid) Tramelli, 90, of Great Falls passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at a local care facility. Per her request no services will be held. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. Ethel was born on May 30, 1926 to Jack and Lily (Meek) Reid at the Columbus Hospital in Great Falls. Mom grew up tough on the lower north side. Her two brothers, Wes and Bud Reid, kept her safe and taught her to fend for herself at a young age. She played basketball with the boys in the neighborhood, which was unheard of at the time. Her best friend while growing up was Elaine (Palagi) Smith who preceded her in death in February of 2013. She attended local schools and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1944. While attending high school, she worked at Kaufmans during Christmas and also at Krers Dime Store. She later worked for American Optical and the Great Falls Clinic downtown in the filing department and then at Montgomery Wards in housewares. During WWII she went to Malstrom Air Force Base as a mechanics helper in the hanger and worked on B-24 and P-57 until the war ended. She went on to attend the University of Montana where she met her husband, Michael C Tramelli. They were married at the Blessed Sacrament Rectory in Black Eagle on Thanksgiving Day, 1947. The two remained inseparable until Mike’s death in 2001. Ethel was a Camp Fire Leader to the high school girls in Black Eagle and later Blue Birds and Cub Scouts in the Riverview area. It was there that she made many wonderful friends, made wonderful cookies, attended endless school activities from Knee Hi to American Legion Baseball games for their children and grandchildren. Michael and Ethel’s home was always open and there was always and extra place at the table and a car pool to drive. The family spent many happy days at the house on the Missouri River, fishing, hunting, sledding, hiking, raising the roof, barbeques, and celebrations of life. Ethel is survived by her children, Rudy (Lisa) Tramelli of Cascade, Gail Tramelli of Helena, Michael (Julia) Tramelli of Great Falls, Lynn (Lee) Tramelli of Black Eagle, and Brett Tramelli of Great Falls; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. E.T. DON’T FORGET TO PHONE HOME.