Marva Claire Veen

Marva C. Vincent Veen, 87, of Great Falls, MT, died Wednesday, August 2, 2017. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are in the care of O'Connor Funeral Home. A lifetime Great Falls area resident, Marva was born on October 28, 1929, to parents Clarence and Laura Vincent. Stepfather Albert Prinzing was actively involved in her life and her children’s lives after the death of her father. Marva graduated from Great Falls High in 1947 and was looking forward to attending her 70th high school reunion this month. She married her high school sweetheart on April 25, 1948. Marvin and Marva were married for 66 years before his death in 2014. When they’d been married for two years, they built a house on the then undeveloped northwest side of town where she lived for 67 years. They had three children together. They enjoyed backpacking trips in Benchmark and the Bob Marshall. Marva was active in the First Presbyterian Church and taught Sunday school. Marva worked as a teacher’s aide at Lowell School for many years. She loved working with children, and as they grew up she was still “Mrs. Veen” when they’d run into her around town. For forty-two years, Marva was a member of the fellowship Alcoholics Anonymous and lived her life “one day at a time.” Marva was a strong and compassionate woman who could relate to and strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. She had a smart and witty sense of humor. All holidays were cause for celebration and decoration, but Marva especially enjoyed Halloween. She and her friends had some spectacular costume parties. Marva is survived by daughter Linn C. Veen of Indiana; sons Kenneth E. Veen and Hal M. Veen, both of Great Falls; granddaughters Jessica Veen Welles, Amy Elicker Hankins, and Laura Suzanne Elicker; grandson Tyson Ryder; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by many “adopted family” whom she loved as children and grandchildren. The family extends their gratitude to friend and caregiver Vanessa Spiewak and the kind and compassionate staff at Benefis Peace Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the F.I.S.H. food pantry at 1620 12th Ave N, Great Falls MT 59401 or Benefis Peace Hospice, PO Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59406-7008.