Leota “Marie” Funk Donnelly was born December 31, 1930, to Juanita “Marie” Kaiser and John “Bud” Jones in Helena, Montana, the middle child of five. She grew up in Helena and graduated early from high school. She then attended Carroll College but chose to marry rather than pursue a nursing career. At 18 she married Robert Funk on July 30, 1949, in St Helena Cathedral. They had fifteen children. She loved children, especially babies, and the home was often filled with neighborhood kids who she treated as her own.
Marie was a devout Catholic; her abiding faith saw her through the dark times in her life. She not only believed in miracles but expected them and saw their fruition. She was a woman of incredible energy and an organizational whiz, raising homemaking to a fine art while doing an admirable job of keeping an unruly hoard of children in check. Marie and Robert divorced after 23 years and, with 10 dependent children, she moved from Helena to Billings. Thereafter she returned to school, eventually earning a master’s degree in Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation. She essentially did a double major in art and produced a body of work in a variety of mediums. She worked for several years in her chosen field. After she contracted throat cancer and had a subsequent laryngectomy, she left her counseling career. Undeterred, she returned to school and studied art for another two years. Her interests included art, music and dance. She had a quick, curious mind and loved to read.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Funk, brother Bud Jones, and children Robert Michael, Stephen Edward and Peter Damian Funk, daughters Bernadette Mary Funk, Annie Funk Clark and Ruth Rochel Stokes, nee Cecilia Marie Funk. She is survived by brothers Thomas Smith and Edward Jones, and sister Elizabeth “Chicki” Phillips. She is also survived by her children and their spouses Theresa Janine (Sam) Hamrick, Margaret Eloise Howes, Timothy John (Peggy) Funk, Joseph Matthew Funk, Joan Elizabeth (Jim) Norby, Mary Patricia (Rich) Rowland, Christopher Louis (Ji Sook) Funk, Helen Marie (Brent) Olness, and Rita Caroline (Bob) Gazewood, as well as a bevy of grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces, and nephews, too numerous to count.
Marie passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 6, 2021, after one of her typically busy days. A special thank you to Heritage Acres Nursing home in Hardin, Montana for the love and care they provided to our beloved Marie.
Marie will be remembered for her beauty and grace, creativity, generosity of spirt, determination, profound faith and courage. And the fact that she loved to dance! She will be sorely missed by the many whose lives she touched in countless ways.
A Rosary will be offered for Marie on Monday, July 19, 2021, at 5:30pm at Retz Funeral Home in Helena, Montana. Her funeral mass will be at noon on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at St. Helena Cathedral with interment at Resurrection Cemetery directly following.
Lisbeth Fechter Stump says
I was a frequent guest of the Funk household in Helena, as my best friend was Margaret. Mrs. Funk always welcomed me, and it was a happy place to be. I have so many sweet memories of her!
Please accept my condolences to your family.
Tim Funk says
She was an incredible mom with boundless energy. She kept us in line when we needed it. She was filled with love for people. She taught me to treat old people with grace. She always made time for her family. Could not have asked for a better mom.
Dundee Warden says
There was always an extra chair at the Funk dinner table and I got to sit in it frequently. Mrs. Funk always made me feel welcomed and unconditionally loved when I came to the Funk house. I observed how she commanded respect first and foremost from her kids as well as their friends. Nobody messed with her because she could tell you everything you needed to know by the way she locked her commanding dark eyes with yours. An amazing woman and mother who know how to be firm, but loving. Joni, my heart goes out to you and your siblings.
Much Love, Dundee Warden