Gerry Rae (Mason) Hughes, age 64, passed away Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Montana. She was surrounded by family and died peacefully after a brief bout of pneumonia. Gerry had bravely battled both lupus and rheumatoid arthritis for many years.
Gerry was born in Miller, South Dakota, on November 12, 1951, and was raised in Highmore, South Dakota. Her parents were Robert A. Mason and Ann DeWald Mason. She graduated from Highmore High School in 1970. She then attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota for two years. After leaving school she worked for Northwestern Bank in Aberdeen, South Dakota before moving to Minneapolis. In 1978 she moved to Helena, Montana to work for the Northwestern Bank of Helena as their payroll clerk. It was there that she met her soul mate, Greg Hughes, a Trust Officer with the Northwestern Union Trust Company. They were married July 12, 1980 at the Frontier Town Chapel. Gerry worked at KCAP as their traffic person for a few years before starting her short career with the State of Montana, working for the Department of Administration and PERS.
In January 1992 Gerry was blessed with a son – Matthew James Hughes and at that time became a full time stay at home Mom. During the 1990’s she became a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. In 1996 the family moved to Great Falls when Greg was offered a job as Office Manager of the Great Falls Office of Norwest Investment Management. The family lived near Meadowlark Grade School proving a short walk for Matthew. The neighborhood was full of children Matt’s age and Gerry loved having all the activity and being able to enjoy Matthew’s early years. Gerry and Greg returned to Helena in 2004 with Greg starting to work with Valley Bank. In October 2009 Gerry was blessed with the birth of her grandson Ryan and greatly enjoyed her time as a grandmother.
Gerry leaves behind many friends from both Norwest and Valley Bank. She was a member of the Green Meadow Country Club in Helena and the Meadowlark Country Club in Great Falls where she enjoyed the socialization with friends. She also enjoyed being a Rotary Ann in Helena and Great Falls attending many Rotary Club functions. She will be sorely missed by the May Bash group who, for over 20 years, celebrated May birthdays with a weekend of camping and fun. She loved going to the UM Grizzlies games having season tickets for over 25 years (Go Griz) where she will be missed at the Salisbury tailgate party and the Missoula Maverick Club.
Gerry was proud to be a member of the Helena Soroptimist Club. She served on the board, represented the club at various conferences, and for the past two years was the secretary. She had many good friends in this organization.
Gerry was predeceased by her parents Bob and Ann Mason, her sister Patricia Kaas, her father-in-law Michael J. Hughes, her sister-in-law Peggy Pepper, and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
She is survived by her husband Greg, her son Matthew and her grandson Ryan (mother Kinsey Super), brother Mike Mason from Highmore, South Dakota, sister Connie Mason from Fort Worth, Texas, nephews Butch Vanormy of Brandon, South Dakota, Tony Vanormy of Polson, Montana, and Christy Stefanick of Minnesota.
She is also survived by Greg’s family; mother-in law Lois Hughes of Helena, sister-in-law Michele Carpenter (Gary) of Aurora, Colorado, brother-in-law Bill Hughes (Ruth) of Butte, and brother-in-law Tom Hughes (Barb) of Derwood, Maryland, and nieces and nephews; Jennifer Brandt, Brian Pepper, Zachary Carpenter, Megan Simmons, Ashley Hughes, Michael Hughes, Casey Hughes, and Thomas Hughes.
A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday September 16th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue, with a reception immediately following the service. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery following the reception. Memorials in Gerry’s name can be made to the Helena Soroptimist Club, SI of Helena PO Box 1216 Helena, MT 59624 or the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. Montana, 946 Marie Dr, Billings, MT 59101-6924. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Gerry.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 16, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Friday September 16, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke F.H. Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena , Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Reception
Friday September 16, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N. Montana Ave.
Helena , Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 16, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Friday September 16, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke F.H. Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena , Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Reception
Friday September 16, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N. Montana Ave.
Helena , Montana 59602
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Tom Naegele says
Greg & Family,
So sorry for your loss. I did not know Gerry well but enjoyed the times we had time together with her & you. My supportive prayers for you & the Family.
Roger Day says
So sorry to hear this. Praying for you all.
Nicki Bondy Mace says
This news made me so sad. Gerry was such a wonderful person and I remember so many fun times we had. Band was always fun.. Praying for God’s strength and comfort in the days ahead.
Babby and John Blair says
So sorry about your loss. We’ll be praying for you all.
Peggy & Craig Fausett says
We are so very sorry for your loss. Gerry was so very kind & loving. She dealt with health issues that would make some angry & bitter but she always made the best of it. For as long as I can remember the Mason family was good friends of our family. May the Lord comfort you at this sad time. Hugs
Deb Rinehart says
I’m so sorry to hear about Gerry.
My prayers are with you all.
Ginger Carman says
I’m so sorry to here about Gerry. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Ron Bawdon says
Mike and Connie you have my most sincerest condolences.
Jo Berg says
Greg and family, my deepest sympathies to you. I’m so sorry i am not able to join in the services but know you are all in my prayers. I will miss her presence.
Jo Berg
Nancy Schroeder Morgan says
I’m so sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. My sympathies to you and your family. I always enjoyed visiting with her. May you find comfort in your loving memories.
Sandi Benson says
To all her family – know Gerry will be missed and was loved by many people. I had the opportunity to know Gerry for many years and she always put a smile on my face. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with you. “God Bless”
Jim Shevlin says
I’ll miss you Gerry.
Donna Coman says
Greg, I’m so sorry for your loss. Gerry was such a fun person. I enjoyed knowing her & working with her. She will be missed.
Tracey Hughes says
Greg, I’m so sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of the family. May she rest in peace now and fly with the angels. Love you cousin…
Nancy Roth says
It was so great growing up having a cousin the same age and in the same grade all the way from kindergarten through high school and on to Northern. We had such fun times. She had a really rough time health wise but you could never tell it by looking at her. She just always had fun. Going to miss her. My deepest sympathies to her son, to Greg and to Mike and Connie who have had too much sadness in the last month.
Kim and Henry Flatow says
Our deepest sympathies to Greg, Matthew and families. Gerry was a wonderful person. She sparkled when she talked about Greg, Matthew and her grandchild. Rest in peace Gerry.
Dwaine and Darla Kusser says
Gerry was a great friend and classmate to all. She will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers to her family
Tom Erving says
Gerry and I have been friends ever since she started working at the Norwest Bank. When she met and married my old classmate Greg, I knew it was special. We were even neighbors for a few years, when Matthew was a baby, my daughter used to babysit him. All through the years we have known each other it was always a joy to visit when we made the connection again. She was truly a wonderful person and will be missed by so many. My sincere condolences and prayers go to Greg and Matthew and family. An old friend, Tom Erving
Felicity McFerrin says
So sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. She faced her health challenges with grace and good humor. She was an inspiration to all.
Michael K. Hughes says
We are so saddened to hear Gerry passed away. She’s been a fixture in Greg’s life for about as long as we can remember. She dealt with her health challenges with grace and determination. She was such a nice person with only good things to say about all she knew. Our collective loss is clearly God’s gain. Our best wishes and heartfelt sympathy to Greg, Matthew and the entire Hughes family.
Susan Marcinek says
Greg, John and I are so sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. We extend our deepest condolences and pray that you will find comfort in your wonderful memories of Gerry, and in the love and joy of your son and precious grandson.
Linda Cook says
Greg & Matt I am so sorry for your loss. I considered Gerry as a wonderful friend & Soroptimist Sister. Gerry was the kindest lady I have known. The memories of the fun times enjoyed with her are in my heart forever. Prayers are with you.
Jo Ann Jones says
I am so sorry to hear about Gerry. She was a welcoming friend to me while I was in Soroptomists. I enjoyed visiting with her over the years and she was very kind and uplifting. My thoughts are with your family.
Tricia Sahinen says
I was so sorry to hear about Gerry’s passing. I worked with Gerry at the Department of Administration. She had a great sense of humor and was really great at helping people put things into perspective. She will be missed! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Terri Kunz says
Gerry was an amazing servant and kindness was always first with her. She was Secretary for me when I was President of Soroptimist and working with her made me for successful. I love her and will miss the smile and uplifting thoughts. God bless all of you during this time and always. I know seeing her again is possible. Hugs, Terri
Sandi Hemminger says
So so sorry to hear of Gerry’s death. We spent so much time together growing up and have always enjoyed our visits when she was home in Highmore. Will always hold her and our memories close to my heart. Hugs to you all
Karol Branine Pykiet says
So loved her sense of humor. God got a special angel. Prayers to the family.
Joey and Peg Kusse says
So very sorry for your loss
Judi (Holmes) Dunaway says
Thinking of all of you during this difficult time. So many memories of growing up with Gerry and you guys, Mike and Connie. Hugs and love sent. Be strong. J
Bonita Rezac Ashby says
So sorry to hear of the paying of gerry. We were neighbors many many years ago. Mike and Connie sorry for your loss.
Matthew Hughes says
I love and miss you mom. It’s been hard bit now you have 3 grand kids ryan the oldest makayla 7 and ellie your youngest. Ryan and I miss you know the girls would miss the hell out of you. Enjoy times up there as times down here seem t9 be ass backwards when you left. See you another time love your son. Matthew