Marie Frances Gratz

Marie Frances (Hellman) Gratz, 80, of Great Falls passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at a local assisted living facility of natural causes. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 11 am at O’Connor Memorial Chapel with burial of ashes to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Marie was born May 10, 1933 to Jacob and Catherine Hellman in Harlem. She lived in Harlem and Hamilton while she was growing up and graduated from Harlem High School. In 1975 she moved to Great Falls. In 1982, Marie was united in marriage to William B. Gratz in Great Falls. The two remained together until William’s passing in 1994. She worked as a manager at Wells Motel before working at Morningside Elementary in food service for six years. After Williams passing, she started her own house cleaning service. Marie enjoyed gardening, care giving, and spending time with her precious family. From a young age, she had a love for animals and this is a trait she carried on through her entire life. Marie is survived by her step-son, Gary A. (Toni) Gratz of Great Falls; sister Dorothy (Jim) Burtch of Townsend; brother Irwin “Butch” Hellman of Mesquite NV; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William B. Gratz; and 12 brothers and sisters. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marie’s name can be made to Peace Hospice of Great Falls or the Humane Society of Helena.