Iris Demarco

Penny DeMarco, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, May 27, 2014 at Peace Hospice.She was born on June 2, 1926 in Malta, Montana to Claude CB and Emma Hanson. They later moved to Havre, and eventually to Great Falls, where she worked for her Dad at his Studebaker dealership. She graduated from Great Falls High School in 1944.She met and married a handsome airman, Jerry DeMarco, in Great Falls. After Jerry completed his enlistment, they moved to Port Washington, New York in 1951, where he was employed by Grumman Aircraft. Longing for the wide open spaces and fresh air of Montana, they moved back to Great Falls in 1955. After retirement, they traveled to several places in their RV and enjoyed many years in their winter home in Yuma, Arizona.She had many passions in her life, one being dancing. She and Jerry helped found the Dudes and Dolls Square Dance Club. She also enjoyed ceramics, back packing, camping, and helping Jerry display their prized 1962 Studebaker with the Skunk Wagon Car Club. She loved cooking Italian food, hosting numerous pool parties at their home, and spending quality time with her family. She was a pet lover, and was especially fond of her black cat Kato. She was extremely proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and their photographs are proudly displayed in her home.In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son Mike (Chris) DeMarco and daughter Bonnie (Kevin) Askeland both of Great Falls; grandchildren Rikki (Jere) Lehman, Andrea (Gary) Bell, Jayson DeMarco, Meghen (Ken) Weatherford and Molly DeMarco, all of Great Falls, Michael (Dawn) DeMarco of Billings; and great-grandchildren Chase, Cadence, and Colt Lehman, Blakelee Bell, Jorden and Jensen Weatherford, Jamie and Caitlyn DeMarco and Walter Maslen.She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Curtis Hanson and brother Orlander Hanson at birth; and grandsons Jerry Black and Casey DeMarco.Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Schnider Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2014 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make donations to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th Str. S., Great Falls, MT 59405 or the charity of your choice.