Mary Petersen

Funeral Mass for Mary Petersen (Patton), 93 of Baker, MT formerly of Billings, MT will be 10:00 a. m. Monday, October 16, 2006 at St. John?s Catholic Church in Baker, MT with the Rev. Father Thomas Tobin celebrating with special music by Melissa Rost. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Bonnievale Cemetery at Baker, MT with Mike O?Donnell, Jim O?Donnell, Scott O?Donnell, Tim O?Donnell, Cindy Sanford, Mary Alice Havens, Marilyn Askin and Steve Koenig as pallbearers. There will be a Rosary & Vigil Service at 7:30 p. m. on Saturday, October 14, 2006 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker, MT. Visitation will be 1:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. Sunday, October 15, 2006 in the Chapel of the Stevenson Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Stevenson Funeral Home of Baker, MT. Mary Catherine O?Donnell Petersen passed away peacefully Friday, October 13, 2006 at Quality Personal Care in Baker, MT with her family at her side. Mary was born on March 18, 1913 to Michael and Esther (Hanratty) O?Donnell at the O?Donnell homestead North of Baker, MT. Mary was the oldest of 11 children of Mike and Esther. Mary attended the O?Donnell School and later graduated from Baker High School. Upon graduating, she attended Eastern (Normal) College in Billings, MT and graduated with a two year degree. Mary moved to California where she married Harry Harrison and had one child, Kay English. Upon the death of her husband, Mary and Kay moved back to Baker where she was employed at the Fallon County Court House. While living in Baker she met and married Tom Patton. They lived on and operated a sheep ranch south of Marmarth, ND. During their time at the ranch John Patton was born. Tom?s twin daughters, Carolyn Cox and Marilyn Hammond also lived with them at the ranch. Tom and Mary sold the ranch and purchased a motel in Baker, MT where they resided. Their son Bob Patton was born while they resided at the motel. Mary started a second career at age 50 and worked for Mountain Bell for 15 years until she retired in Billings. Mary married Marvin Petersen in 1977. She and Marvin enjoyed traveling with trips to China, Korea, Alaska, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, and England. Mary spent winters in California with her children and summers in Montana. Mary often said, ?93 is easy to get to?. She lived all 93 years with style and grace while enjoying her family and extended family. She will be missed by all who knew her. Mary is survived by her daughter, Kay (Jim) English, West Hills, CA; two sons, John (Jan) Patton, Misawa, Japan and Bob (Vicki) Patton, Westlake Village, CA; a brother, Herb (Carole) O?Donnell, Baker, MT; three sisters, Rose (Everett) Myhre, Baker, MT, Marge Koenig, Baker, MT and Betty (Bob) Shuck, Rhame, ND; two sister-in-laws, Erna O?Donnell, Baker, MT. and Ruth Mary O?Donnell, Canyon Ferry, MT; 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grand child. She is preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Esther, her three husbands, Harry Harrison, Thomas Patton and Marvin Peterson, her two step-daughters, Carolyn Cox and Marilyn Hammond, her five brothers, Bob, Ray, Francis, Jackie and Howard, her sister Ruth Rustad, her two grandsons, Jeff Chism and Bill Halmans, her two brother-in-laws, Mervin Rustad and Art Koenig and her sister-in-law, Verna O?Donnell. A heartfelt thank you to Robin Wright and staff at Personal Quality Care in Baker, MT for the last three years of loving care.


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Burial Date: October 16, 2006
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Mass: St. John’s Catholic Church, Monday