Amie Grande

Amie Ellen (Tope) Grande, 86, of Great Falls, a retired registered nurse with the Columbus Hospital, died at her home on Monday, February 27, 2012 of natural causes.Graveside services will take place on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Fort Benton, Montana.Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Amie is survived by her daughters, Lisa Hegland of San Antonio, TX and Lynn Witte of Great Falls; a sister, Pat Johnston of Fort Benton, MT; 3 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.Amie Elizabeth Tope Grande was born December 8, 1925 on a homestead between Carter and Fort Benton, Montana. She graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1944 and joined the Cadet Nursing Corps. Amie began her nurse's training in September 1944 at Bozeman College and later finished at the old Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls. The war was ending and Amie was never called to serve, but she was ready to go if called. She graduated in October 1947 as a Registered Nurse.Amie's graduation was the beginning of a full and successful nursing career, most notably in the kind and quality of care she gave to others. Her career spanned over 42 years, 30 years as a surgical nurse for the Deaconess and Columbus Hospitals in Great Falls. Everyone who knew Amie was glad to see her coming, especially if they were sick or in her hospital. She was known for her dear-hearted and reassuring bedside manner. For much of Amie's adult life, she was a single mother, struggling for balance her career and the needs of her two daughters, Lisa and Lynn. Times were sometimes tough her and the girls, but, whatever the circumstances they made due; wherever they live, no matter how modest, they created a warm and inviting home. Amie always managed to keep the fires warm, food on the table, treats, and her girls in clothes, shoes, and school supplies. In later years, her home was the place to be for weekends and holidays. There were always presents under the tree, eggs to find, turkey and trimmings, or a roaster full of hot pigs in the blanket. Her grandchildren, Travis, Tiffany, Amie and Devon, were very special to her, and she to them. This close relationship between mother and daughters, and eventually grandchildren, was forged in some ways during her growing years by her own mother, Sadie Longmuir, and her brother, Bill Tope, and sister, Pat Johnston, and their children. All from Fort Benton. Though some are gone, neither time nor miles can diminish the love and bond they have for each other. Amie was diagnosed with dementia in 2001. In the early years, she spent her days quietly in her home, looking out the window or taken for drives in her car. Normally a quiet presence, she had become quit talkative. The humor of her thoughts was revealing. At times, her wit and intellect pierced the fog of her illness, reinforcing her love for daughters and grandchildren with her wry sense of humor. Amie's dementia also revealed a sometimes anxious nature. It was good that her daughters were there to quiet her in her final years-to reassure her that things were all right, that they were all okay. At times this very close relationship was a cast back to an earlier time when Amie and her young daughters were forging ahead alone. It was then that Amie reassured her daughters that everything would be all right, that they would be okay. And they were. This dear sweet child of God will be forever remembered in the thoughts and prayers of those who loved her-family, friends, and many among those that she touched with her gentle hand as a nurse.Amie's favorite poem...As Toilsome I Wanderd Virginias WoodsBy Walt WhitmanAs toilsome I wanderd Virginias woods,To the music of rustling leaves kicked by my feet, (for twas autumn),I markd at the foot of a tree the grave of a soldier;Mortally wounded he and buried on the retreat, (easily all could I understand),The halt of a mid-day hour, when up! No time to lose-- yet this sign left,On a tablet scrawld and naild on the tree by the grave,Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade.Long, long I muse, then on my way go wandering,Many a changeful season to follow, and many a scene of life,Yet at times through changeful season and scene, abrupt, alone, or in the crowded street,Comes before me the unknown soldiers grave, comes the inscription rude in Virginias woods,Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade.Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.