Eleanor Mares

Our mom, Eleanor Blondie Mares, 88, of Great Falls passed peacefully into the next world on Saturday, January 3, 2015.Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Schnider Funeral Home. A vigil service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Born Eleanor Delger in Butte, America the family moved to Cut Bank where mom went to school with her brothers Henry, Roy, and Ray and sister, Delores. At 18 she left home, moved to Great Falls and began a career as a waitress at the Hotel Rainbow where she met her lifelong friend Olivia Funk and our dad Joseph Joe Mares. She went to nurses school and waitressed at the Meadowlark Country Club until they married in 1950. Mom and dad moved to the Mares family homestead at Park Garden Road until Linda and Sandy were born and she became a stay at home mom. Life was busy, they cared for grandpa Mares, planted hundreds of trees on the property, mowed acres of lawn, cared for animals including cows, chickens, rabbits, dogs, and cats, many which were stray, and they lived through the challenges of three floods and some pretty tough winters.Since dad worked a lot, mom was responsible for many of the chores and, of course, keeping us girls busy. And busy we were, going to school, piano, flute, voice, dance, and skating lessons; then having rehearsals, recitals, and skating competitions! They were both so proud of our accomplishments and mother took a very active role, and made every skating costume, formal and dress we wore. She was a meticulous seamstress and she loved doing crafts with Olivia. Following dads illness in 1981, mom returned to the Country Club as waitress and she and dad made many trips to Cut Bank to help grandpa and grandma.Following dads death in 1981, mom moved to the Meadowlark Town Homes, became active as a board member and was a member of St. Josephs Church Choir. She finally retired from waitressing in 1988. She took great pride in the beautiful afghans she crocheted, and growing, on her deck, tomatoes in a barrel (which she loved to share). During these years mom always enjoyed outdoor barbecues with family, friends, and the condo owners, bringing one of her delicious homemade salads and treats for her granddogs. Mom was very talented with her crafts, a great cook, proud to be German/Russian, and she was so proud of Kyla and Darby Binfet who loved her and called her grandma.When diabetic complications disabled her, mom moved to The Lodge where she enjoyed the crafts. Due to her declining health we are so relieved for the peace that came from Peace Hospice.Eleanor is survived by daughters, Linda (Russ) Say and Sandy Jo Mares; brothers Ray (Claudette) and Roy (Maria); nieces and nephews; grandchildren Mike and Kristine; lifelong friends the Funks, Kevin, Mary, Roger and others who will miss mom.She was preceded in death by her husband, mother, father, stepmother, and sister.May you be with dad now. Rest in peace and comfort, mom; God bless you, we love you and thank you for everything.Memorials are suggested to the Great Falls Rescue Mission, 326 2nd Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405 or Great Falls Animal Shelter, 1010 25th Ave NE, Great Falls, MT 59404.