MARY GRATKE obituary

Mary (DeRosa) Gratke, 82, died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004, at the Northern Montana Care Center.

A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at St. Jude's Catholic Church and a memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Jude's Catholic Church.

Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center immediately following the services at the graveside.

Mary was born on April 18, 1922, in Havre to Marietta (Bonavita) and Mike DeRosa. She attended St. Jude's School through the eighth grade and graduated from Havre High School in 1940.

Mary worked for Western Union as district cashier for many years. She later worked for Wards Sales Agency until retiring in 1984.

She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters since 1945, past state regent and past first and second state vice regent. She had held offices in the local Court St. Theresa No. 1161 for many years and was active also in the Diocese Council of Catholic women as state treasurer. Mary held offices in parish CCW and Vicariate CCW, was past president and treasurer for parish CCW and secretary for Vicariate CCW. She was an active volunteer at the Northern Montana Hospital.

Mary's life was dedicated to her family, friends, her volunteer activities and her work, from which she drew great joy.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Gratke; parents Mike and Marietta DeRosa; sister, Edith VanBuskirk; brothers-in-law, Marvin and Harvey Gratke; and sister-in-law, Anastasia DeRosa.

Survivors include her sons, Fred (Kathleen) Gratke of Southlake, Texas, and Mike (Jacqueline) Gratke of Sunnyvale, Calif .; brothers, Tony DeRosa of St. Paul, Minn., Frank (Eunice) DeRosa of Havre and Sam (Eleanor) DeRosa of Richland, Wash .; two grandchildren, Laura and John Gratke of Southlake, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Mary's honor may be made to Bear Paw Hospice, 30 W. 13th St., Havre, MT 59501, Northern Montana Care Center, P.O. Box 1231, Havre, MT 59501 or to The Gift of Life Housing, P.O. Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59406-7008.