Katherine Joan Maeder

Katherine JoAn Maeder, 95, of Great Falls, Montana passed away peacefully on October 23, 2023, at Benefis.

JoAn was born December 10, 1927, to John and Etta DeKoning in Malta, Montana. She attended schools in Malta and later at the College of Great Falls. She was a loving mother, dedicated to her family, providing care and was supportive in every way she could. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and keeping and recording extended family histories. She volunteered at St. Joseph Parochial School for many years as well as with the PCCW, (Parish Catholic Council of Woman), and served on the board of the local Parkinson’s Disease Support Group. Since her father emigrated from Holland, she was especially proud of her Dutch heritage. JoAn and her siblings traveled there in 1984 together. She particularly enjoyed this trip where they met and visited many cousins and other relatives.

She would tell stories of life on the farm, including endless hoeing of beets and the well-known typical stories of walking to and from school in the Montana Highline snow, five miles uphill both ways. A quote she had was “Cleaning house while raising children is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.”

She met her future husband, Fred Maeder, outside the local Tracys Restaurant and a budding relationship blossomed into marriage in November of 1948.

She pursued a career as secretary and office assistant working for F.A Buttrey Co., Montana Elevator Co., Community Mental Health Center, and Spectrum Learning retiring in 1990.

She is survived by sons, Michael Maeder, Niles (Cara) Maeder; daughters, Marie “Lynn” Rolland and Tina (Martin) Redfern; four grandchildren, Amber Elliot, John Corbally, Dan Lorenz and Kris Lorenz; and several great-grandchildren.

JoAn was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Maeder; son, Mark Maeder; brother, Albert (Bud) DeKoning; sisters, Marjorie (Margie) Dana and Aleda Faydo. She was the last surviving sibling of the DeKoning family.

The memorial service will be at St. Ann’s Cathedral on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. with internment at St. Olivet Cemetery after. A celebration of JoAn’s life will be at the St. Ann's Annex next to St. Ann’s after internment.

Memorial contributions or donations may be made to the local Parkinson’s Support Group.