Mary Ann Reuter

Mary Ann Palm Reuter, 75, of Great Falls, passed away October 24, 2014 after a hard fought battle with liver cancer.A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at the Black Eagle Community Center. Please come with memories to share.Mary Ann Long was born April 23, 1939 to Roy and Erna Long. She was raised by her maternalgrandparents, John and Anna Albrecht in Wagner, MT on the family homestead along with her brothers Charles (Chub) and Lee. Mary attended school in Malta, MT. At the age of 16, Mary married Edward John Herman Palm. The happy couple lived in the Malta area for many years, where they raised 5 wonderful children. They moved to Ulm, MT in 1968. When all the kids had started school Mary took a temporary job at Nordak, working as a seamstress for two weeks. That two weeks turned into many years with the company. Sadly, in 1977, Mary and Ed's only son, John, was killed in a car accident just outside of Malta. The following year, Ed suffered a fatal heart attack while he and Mary were cutting down wood for their home.Mary married Donald Lewis Reuter in 1983. Due to his position with the pipefitters union, Don and Mary moved to several places, including Chicago, IL and Colstrip, MT before he retired and they settled in Ulm, MT. They would later move into town. In 1986, Mary took a job with Shopko Inc., where she helped to open the new Great Falls location. Mary would eventually retire from the company in 2001.Though she may have been retired, Mary worked harder after retirement than before. She spent many hours volunteering her time to The First Peoples Buffalo Jump, The Scottish Rite Childhood Language Clinic, Benefis Hospital, Cascade County Sheriffs office, Aging Services, and many more.Mary was well known in local bowling circles. She not only spent time bowling several times a week, she also served as a member of the local and state bowling boards. She was inducted into the state bowling Hall of Fame in 2012. Mary prided herself on staying active after retirement. She could be found working out three times a week at the Peak Health and Wellness center. Mary could be seen participating in the Falls Challenge, Icebreaker Road Race, Hiawatha Trail Bike Ride, and so many more. She firmly believed if you don't use it, you lose it! Crafting was a passion for Mary. She knitted, crocheted, and taught herself to tat. These were all talents she passed on to many either through teaching or giving of a handmade treasure.Though she only had 5 children, many more claimed her as mom . Her family encompassed everyone she spent time with, from her bowling and Peak family to her Shopko family and everyone in between.Mary is survived by her daughters Kathy (Red) Jorgensen of Great Falls, Cindy Palm of Great Falls, Deb Morin of Livingston, Penny (Bill) Bucher of Missoula; granddaughters Laramie Jorgensen, Mandy Clark, Anna Jane Bucher, and Ellie Bucher; great granddaughters Adilyn Clark and Ahnika Clark; brothers Charles (Carol) Long of Huntley, Frank (Patti) Adams of Lahoma, OK, and James Adams of Oklahoma.She was preceded in death by her first husband Edward Palm; her second husband Don Reuter; son John Palm; and brother Lee Long.