Madeline Mashino Roeseler age 106 passed away Wednesday afternoon August 6, 2014 in Helena. Madeline was born May 5, 1908 in a farm house near Lake Village Indiana to John Adrian and Belle (Rainford) Mashino.
When Madeline was three years of age, the family moved to the homestead, north of Lavina, Montana. At the time of World War I, the farmers were urged to grow more wheat. So Madeline’s father leased land about 15 miles from home to farm with his steam engine and equipment to grow wheat. He took Madeline, just ten years old with him to cook for the crew of men.
She attended school in Lavina graduating from high school as salutatorian of her class, on May 21, 1925.
After seven years of teaching in rural schools and attending summer school at Dillon and later in Billings, Madeline graduated in August of 1933 from Eastern Montana College in Billings. She was determined not to continue teaching rural schools, where she was janitor, firewoman, etc…, so she pestered the Rygate School Board until they hired her to teach 1st and 2nd grades. The Board said they hired her to get rid of her continual pressure.
Two years later, Madeline was hired to teach second grade in the Laurel School System. Here she met Lyle Roeseler who had come to equip the new shop and teach Auto Mechanics in the high school.
Lyle and Madeline were married in Billings, June 15, 1941. Returning from their honeymoon, the call was waiting for Lyle to come to Bozeman to become State Supervisor of Training of Defense Workers. This was preparation for World War II. This was a very change of life for Madeline.
In 1946 Madeline drove, with the car loaded with home necessities, to Columbus, Ohio. Lyle had been called earlier to make final arrangements for his good friend M.J. Abbey, a former Montana State College Instructor. Then he became Executor of the Estate. Madeline had to stay in Columbus, in order to make that their residence, for the three years, until the estate was settled.
When moving back to Montana in 1949, Lyle’s office had been moved from Bozeman to Helena, so they bought a home in Helena and settled in for life.
Madeline did not get so involved in local organizations, that she was not free to travel with her husband. As a result, they traveled over all of Montana and at least one trip each year out of state. She was always backing him and sometimes offering suggestions to help him.
Being alone, after cancer took Lyle to his heavenly home, October 13, 1972, Madeline moved to California to live near her sister and family. After five years in California, she new California was not for her, so she returned to Helena to make her home.
She was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and belonged to the Wesleyan Fellowship many years. In 1941, she was Worthy Matron of White City Chapter No. 76 Order of Eastern Star in Lavina. Later she became a member of Miriam Chapter No. 1 Order of Eastern Star. She has been A 50 year member since 1977. She was a member Sapphira Temple No.79, Daughters of the Nile and was active for a number of years. She was a member of the Helena Women’s Club for many years, serving as President in 1968. She belonged to a Bridge Club for many years, where she enjoyed playing, never taking it seriously.
During Madeline’s lifetime, she liked to knit, crochet, embroidery work, and handcrafts. She was remembered for the beautiful African Violets she grew in her home. She had over 100 named varieties at one time. Each summer the back yard was a beautiful garden of flowers and vegetables enough to last the winter.
In her travels, Madeline had toured most of the forty-eight states plus Alaska and Hawaii, Canada and the Holy Land. She had also cruised from Miami, through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles. She had also taken a boat ride down the Mississippi from St. Louis to New Orleans. The boat docked next to the Fair Grounds, so she checked out the World’s Fair that was on at that time.
During her life time she had attended World’s Fairs at Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Spokane and New Orleans.
Madeline’s humor in life has helped many to see the brighter side of life. Her goal was to try to make someone laugh every day. If she missed a day she would probably make up for it the next day to keep a good average. She believed that laughter was the best medicine.
Madeline was preceded in death by parents, John Adrian Mashino in 1943 and Belle Rainford Mashino in 1976; husband, William Lyle Roeseler in 1972; sister, Mildred Arlene (Worth 2001) Potts in 1998; brother, Verlie Rainford (Tena) Mashino in 2003, and brother, Leonard (Atha, then Margaret) Mashino in 2007; sister-in-law, Vera Roeseler; brother-in-law, Harold (Beatrice) Roeseler; sister-in-law, Liane Roeseler (Robert) McGuire; brother-in-law, Maro Butchart; brother-in-law, Ernest (Grace) Roeseler; step-nephew, Wade Hunter; 2 sisters who died at birth, and one brother who died at 18 months.
Madeline is survived by her sister-in-law, Margrye Roeseler Butchart; nieces and nephews, Shirley Mashino (Dave) Hanke, Leah Verlene Mashino, Leo (Kristen) Potts, Arlene Potts (Dennis) Cole, Bret (Loris) Potts, John Rainford Mashino, Robert (Creta) McGuire, Brian (Louise) McGuire, Lynn (Lois) McGuire, Fred (Rima) Roeseler and William “Bill” (Brooke) Roeseler, Bonnie Butchart Smith, and Nadine Butchart (Don) Hart; and 35 great great-grand-nieces and nephews.
Funeral service celebrating Madeline’s life will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 11, 2014 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan Street. Interment will follow at Forestvale Cemetery. Memorials in Madeline’s name are suggested to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Building Fund; 512 Logan Street Helena, Montana 59601 or to the Sapphire Temple, Daughters of the Nile No. 19; Convalescent Relief Fund P.O. Box 96, Helena, Montana 59624.
To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Madeline please visit below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Monday August 11, 2014
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Immediately following the funeral service
Monday August 11, 2014
Forestvale Cemetery
Forestvale Road (Helena Valley)
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the burial
Monday August 11, 2014
St. Paul's United Methodist Church Social Center
,
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Monday August 11, 2014
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Immediately following the funeral service
Monday August 11, 2014
Forestvale Cemetery
Forestvale Road (Helena Valley)
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the burial
Monday August 11, 2014
St. Paul's United Methodist Church Social Center
,
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Loretta (Lori) Cole says
As a member of the Coke family, I was there several Christmas’ when Madeline was visiting or and when the family would be opening her now infamous Christmas boxes. Everyone had a great time and a lot of laughs ‘fighting’ over who would get that item. I still have the potato peeler that I got from one of those boxes. Some great memories!! God bless her and your family. We will remember her well.
Lisa Rainford says
This was si interesting to learn of one of my families members. It is astonishing to see how people in a family evolve. It sounds like Madeline led a very full life.
Chuck Mix says
Madeline was my “adopted Grandma” as she was a great friend to my blood Grandma Maxine Roos DeBree. Since my Grandma passed away, she has been a connection for me and I have always marveled at her quick wit, strong opinions, and perceptions of the past. She was one of a kind, and she will be missed.
Bonnie Smith says
Aunt Madeline was always careful to stay in touch with the members of her family by phone if she could no longer visit in person. I remember how much fun it was sharing “tea” at the Empress Hotel when she was here in Victoria, BC. I appreciate having a copy of this obit which reminds me of some of her history that I could not remember. Would like to add that she had another niece, Marie Roeseler Doyle, who passed away in Pinehurst, Idaho, in December 2012.
Kristi (Roeseler) Christman says
What an honor to be related to such an amazing lady, my Great Aunt Madeline. It was a joy to see her in MT and when she would visit WA over the years.