Mary Hofstrand

Mary Hofstrand, 89, of Great Falls, passed away on Thursday, June 18, of natural causes at Benefis West Healthcare. A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 22, at the O’Connor Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Mary was born February 10, 1926, in Great Falls to George and Anna Tomaskie, and was raised on the family farm in Sand Coulee. She graduated from Centerville High School, and then attended Columbus School of Nursing, where she received her diploma degree. She initially worked in the Labor and Delivery Unit of Columbus Hospital, and then was employed by Deaconess Hospital in the Mental Health Unit for the rest of her career. Devoted to the staff, organization, and more importantly, to the patients she cared for, Mary’s nursing career spanned over 50 years. Along the way, she made many friends, and was a mentor to all. Mary enjoyed entertaining friends, but her most precious moments were those spent with family. She continued to give unselfishly to those she loved until her death. She was married for 54 years to the love of her life, Ralph. He predeceased her in 2002. She is survived by two daughters, Karen (Harold) Salomon of St. Augustine, Florida, and Sandy (Dick) Koelzer of Caldwell, Idaho; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She will be sorely missed, but will be smiling down on us from Heaven with Ralph.