Lenore Dieruf

Lenore "Mamalee" Dieruf, 95, of Great Falls, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away on August 12, 2018. Lenore was best known as Mamalee to many of those that had the pleasure of knowing her. This nickname was given to her by her two grandchildren; Carli and Molly. She was born in Long Beach, California on March 31, 1924. Lenore worked a wide variety of jobs, starting at a very young age. She eventually became a secretary and worked in education, which she continued to do until her retirenment. Lenore had two children, Maureen Foster and Robert Dieruf. Lenore loved the simple things in life. She enjoyed cross-word puzzles and seek-and-find puzzles, writing letters to her loved ones, watching the squirrels in the back yard out of her large window, and seeing the birds land on her birdhouse just a couple feet away. If you couldn’t find her at her chair in the dining room, you could find her in the living room cuddled up in a soft blanket, holding the TV guide, a pencil, and watching Wheel of Fortune. If someone had to explain Mamalee in a few ways, they would say she had a bright smile, that she was a ray of sunshine, or had the best and happiest laugh in the room. Not only was she sweet and charming, but her quick wit and sense of humor made her friends and family smile and laugh every time they were around her. Her ability to come back with a funny and sarcastic remark immediately kept her young in everyone’s eyes. No one could've ever guessed that she was almost 100 years old and be full of that much spunk. There is so much to be said about Mamalee that her family could write for days. To keep it sweet and simple, Mamalee was a firecracker and a flower, all in one. We love her so much and will miss her everyday until we meet her again. She was preceded in passing by her husband; parents, Ford and Helen (Higgin) Engle; friend and family by marriage, Paul Rylander; beloved nephew, Trent Havron; many other extended family members; and life long friends. Lenore is survived by her two children, Robert Dieruf and Maureen Foster; granddaughters, Carli and Molly Dieruf; and brother, Wayne Engle. She also had friends and family all over the United States, many of which she wrote letters to on a frequent basis. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation in Lenore's name are preferred (1100 4th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405).