Jay Marie Schlecht

Jay Marie Schlecht, 89, of Great Falls passed away peacefully on November 7, 2019. Cremation has taken place under the care of Schnider Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church (1226 1st Ave. N.) on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at 11:00 a.m.A memorial and burial at Highland Cemetery will take place in 2020. Born to Bertha Shook Rust and Irvin Rust on March 27, 1930, in Ft. Benton, MT, she was the sixth child of seven siblings. She was a twin to her sister, Jeane who was the seventh sibling. William and Jay were married in 1956.They lived primarily in Great Falls, raising son, Danny. They were owners and operators of Bill’s Mobile/Conoco Service Station located on 36th Street and 10th Avenue South. The business also included rentals of U-Hauls and Winnebago RVs. Jay was also employed at Nautilus Health Spa. She was a dedicated member and volunteer at Trinity Lutheran Church, involved with many other community services such as animal clinics and children’s organizations. Her interests included knitting, crocheting, sewing, garden club, and The Red Hat Society. Jay and Bill enjoyed dancing, traveling, camping, fishing, boating, playing cards, attending family gatherings, spending special time with grandchildren, and spoiling their four-legged critters. Jay liked country and Christian music, and Charlie Pride. She was also particularly proud of her Montana artists, Brian Morger and Charlie Russell’s prints. As the years progressed towards retirement, Jay and Bill moved to Dearborn, MT, involving themselves with the canyon community and activities there. Because of Bill’s declining health, they returned to Great Falls and he passed away in 2009. Jay was preceded in death by husband, Bill; parents, Irvin and Bertha; sisters, Pearl Ludeman and Jeane Ortez; brothers, Don, Wayne, and Jerry Rust. Jay is survived by son, Danny of the Philippines; grandsons, Sonny and Tanner of Great Falls, Brandon (Erica) of North Carolina, and Dustin (Sujin) of South Korea; 3 great-granddaughters, Zoe, Eva, and Hannah Jay; sister, Dorothy Samuels of Great Falls; her caregivers, niece, Tina Ball, daughter-in-law, Barb Schlecht, grandson, Sonny Schlecht, and nephew, Ron Rust. We would like to extend our appreciation to all family, friends, church members, and caregivers that provided support for or reached out to Jay. Thank you. Donations in Jay’s name may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or an animal foundation of your choice.