Mary "Maria" Riendina Flynn

Mary “Maria” Riendina Flynn, 95, of Great Falls, peacefully passed away with her family by her side on January 21, 2022.A private burial for the family took place on January 26, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2022. Mary was born on October 22, 1926, in Knappen, Alberta, Canada to Guiseppe and Guiseppa Lippa. Her parents immigrated to Canada from Italy and homesteaded approximately 40 miles east of Coutts. Both of her parents died during her youth. Mary and her siblings were very close and continued to live on the farm. As a child, her nickname was “Antelope Mary” as she adopted two pet antelopes who were rescued by her brother, Nick. She attended the Grange country school. Many functions were held at the Grange school and thus Mary learned to and so enjoyed dancing! In 1949, She married Richard Sonnemaker and moved to Sun River, Montana where they owned and operated a dairy farm. While living there, they were blessed with four daughters. Mary was widowed at the young age of 31. Mary auctioned off the dairy equipment and sold the farm. She attended Dahl’s College of Beauty and Manicuring School during the day and was a waitress at Victor’s Restaurant at the Great Falls International Airport during the evenings. While attending school, her four girls went to live with her sister, Lucy, and her husband, Everett, on the farm near Coutts, Alberta for 16 months. During this time, they were well cared for and so loved by their “second parents.” In 1961, she married Joseph Flynn. They moved to Fort Benton for approximately one year and Mary started her first beauty shop in their home. They later moved back to Vaughn. Joe and Mary were blessed with three additional daughters and one son. Her second beauty shop was in their home and several years later she opened her third shop in Vaughn. After Joe’s passing in 1994, she met and later married Arnold Koehler who was her very devoted husband for almost 28 years. Despite her many hardships and challenges, Mary remained incredibly strong, courageous, and determined. Her never-ending zest for life was truly an inspiration to her children. Mary was very creative and excelled as a business woman, seamstress, hairdresser, cake decorator, and waitress. She enjoyed gardening, loved to dance (including square dancing), and attended many rodeos in Alberta and Montana. Above all, she cherished time with her family and her Canadian relatives. Mary is survived by her husband, Arnold Koehler; children, Mendolynn (Steve) Sonnemaker Walls, Holidean (Ted, deceased) Sonnemaker Denning, Starnell (Dana) Sonnemaker Darko, Renelda (Lee) Sonnemaker Levine, Melonnie (Don) Flynn Suek, Melodie “DeeDee” (Darin) Flynn Pike, Farren Flynn, and Arnell (Travis) Flynn Eynon; Patti Koehler (Arnold’s daughter); 21 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Richard Sonnemaker and Joseph Flynn; brothers, Mat (Medora) Lippa and Nick (Nicole) Lippa; and sister, Lucy (Lucia) Ford. Mary was loved by so many. She was an amazing Mother who welcomed all into her home. She gave of her time and talents, and she will be dearly missed. A very special thank you to the Azalea Place for their wonderful and compassionate care. Condolences for the family may be shared at oconnorfuneralhome.com or mailed to O’Connor Funeral Home (2425 8th Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401). Memorials can be sent to Azalea Place Assisted Living, 1 Prospect Place, Great Falls, Montana 59405.