Marian T. Buell

Marian T. Buell, 96, passed away peacefully Thursday evening June 27, 2013, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes.

Public viewing will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Her funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Father Joseph Diekhans officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Section of Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will immediately follow at the St. Jude Parish Center after the graveside service. Memorial contributions in Marian's honor may be made to the Havre Senior Citizen's Center or to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. You may post your memories online at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Marian was born Sept. 9, 1916, in Medicine Lake, Mont., to Mike and Anna (Reuter) Schmitz. She was raised in the Medicine Lake area on a farm with seven brothers and sisters. She attended two years of college at Northern Montana College in Havre, Mont., where she graduated with her teaching certificate. While in college she met Ambrose Buell. Marian took a teaching position in a country school where she taught for two years. On Aug. 20, 1938, she married Ambrose Buell at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Havre. They made their home in Havre and raised their family together for almost 34 years. Ambrose passed away in August 1972.

Marian was very active in her community. She volunteered her time with Northern Montana Hospital Auxiliary, Eagles Auxiliary and V.F.W. Auxiliary. She served as the V.F.W. Auxiliary president for six years.  Her volunteerism also included the public library, 4-H leadership, Catholic Daughters and the Havre Senior Citizens Center.  She had many duties at the Senior Citizens Center but her major role was working their bingo game for 22 years.

Marian loved to travel, dance, knit and crochet. She made many mittens for Headstart and many quilts for family and friends. Playing cards was a highlight for her.  She never said no to a card game whether it was cribbage, pinochle or something new. She was always ready to go.  In her younger years she enjoyed fishing and camping with her family in the Bear Paw Mountains.

Marian was an avid supporter of our veterans. She made Walker Bags, Christmas stockings and collected toiletries for the residents at the Veterans Home in Columbia Falls and at Fort Harrison.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ambrose Buell; her grandson, Michael Buell; her two sisters, Lillian Beringer and Elizabeth Muller; and her four brothers, Albert Schmitz, Joseph Schmitz, Phillip Schmitz and George Schmitz.

Marian is survived by her children; daughters, Sue (Dave) Widdekind of Havre, Lucille (Bruce) Huffine of Belgrade, Mont., and Mary (Dennis) Peterson of Great Falls, Mont .; sons, Jim (Fran) Buell of Gildford, Tom Buell of Havre, and John Buell of Lancaster, Calif .; her sister, Anna Rose Schmitz of San Francisco; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.