Mary Suden

Mary R. (Balzarini) Suden, 93, of Great Falls, a retired waitress, died of natural causes on May 4, 2012 at a local care facility.Memorial services will take place at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel on Friday, May 18, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. with burial of ashes to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Mary was born to Guisseppe and Antonette (Marosie) Balzarini on February 20, 1919 in Great Falls, MT, the youngest girl of six children. She was raised in Great Falls and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1937.Growing up she was involved in sports, especially baseball and in 1937 she played second base for the Butchers Local 437 team that captured the Montana Girls Fast Pitch Softball Championship and qualified for the World's Amateur Softball Championship Tournament at Soldiers Field in Chicago. These girls were the dream team from Montana only to have their dreams crushed by Detroit, the national runner-up from the previous year.On April 13, 1941 she married William Suden at St Ann's Cathedral and they shared 55 wonderful years together. Mary started working in the 1940's at the 3-D Club in Black Eagle, Montana as a waitress. She worked for Tommy and Dorothy Grasseschi for many years, and then went to work for Eddies Supper Club. After taking a few years off work, Mary went back to work at the 3-D International and then went to work at the Ho Tai, a great Chinese restaurant which was owned by Tommy Grasseschi and Ernie Grasseschi. Shortly after the Ho Tai burned, Mary went back to work at the 3-D International and then finally retired in 1976.Bill and Mary did a lot of traveling with their sons, Bill and John, who raced Artic Cat snowmobiles in the Northwest and Canada on oval ice tracks or lakes in the late 70's and early 80's. The great times were at West Yellowstone when the big vans came in with the Pro Riders from back East.Bill and Mary also traveled to visit friends both far and near.In the summer time they started the garden early and then it was off to the lakes to go fishing. What a great life.Mom's house was a swinging door and everyone was welcome to come in and have a cup of coffee or pop and just visit or sit quietly. During our high school years we should have taken the doors off the hinges because they were always swinging open and shut. The house was where most of our friends came to meet. Not only did our friends come to the house, but all the relatives seemed to congregate there as well. People would be there from early morning until late at night. There was always someone to talk to, as the house was warm and welcoming. Mom always had the big dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas and the house was always full.If you had nowhere to go, you were always welcome to stay for dinner. Our mom was a very giving person.Mary is survived by her daughter, Maureen Halvorson of Great Falls; her son, John (Judie) Suden of Great Falls; her granddaughters, Tracy (Shane) Wehr and daughters Amber and Tahasha of Ulm, and Jackie Suden (Todd Brownlee) and daughters Valyn and Sara Suden of Great Falls; her grandsons, Randy (Tami) Suden and daughters Grace and Brooklyn and Vince (Carolyn) Suden and sons Kyler and Tristan and daughter Holly of Great Falls, and Travis Suden of Missoula; and many nieces, nephews and good friends.She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Suden; son, William Suden Jr.; son-in-law, Dwight (Squeak) Halvorson; granddaughter, Kylie Marie Suden; and her brothers and their respective wives, Enrico (Jean) Balzarini, Attilio (Mae) Balzarini, Jim (Jean) Balzarini and Pete (Theresa) Balzarini.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials or donations to Peace Hospice, 1101 26 Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405, or the donor of your choice.Condolences may be left for the family at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.