Marcella (Lewis) Surdock began her life’s journey on August 30, 1924 in Big Rapids, Michigan. She was the second daughter and fourth of eleven children born to George Elmer Thomas Lewis and Beatrice Cecilia (Kowalak) Lewis. She spent the first 18 years of her life in the Big Rapids and Pontiac area. She met her life time love, Peter William Surdock, when she was 17. They were married August 1942. WWII took the young couple on their first journey west to Ft. Warren, Wyoming where their first son, Pete Jr. was born in 1943. He was joined by two other brothers, James in 1945, and John in 1946. Following her husband’s discharge from the service, the family returned to Pontiac, Michigan to raise their family. The couple taught their children that next to their faith in God, family was most important. The couple built their own home in Williams Lake where they resided until 1952. In 1952, the family moved to Conrad, Montana where in a house on Wyoming Street they continued raising their sons. Marcella was a loving hard working housewife and mother who took great pride in caring for her sons and husband. When her sons entered school she worked as a clerk at Drakes Drug store until she and her husband opened their own butcher shop business. Along with the business, Marcella enjoyed teaching her sons how to fish in the clear mountain streams of the foothills of Glacier Park. She was an excellent bowler. She loved playing pinochle and “dirty marbles” with family and friends. She enjoyed having family visit from the “East” so she could show them the wonders and joys of Montana. In 1965, she and her husband closed the business and moved to Long Beach, California to enjoy the warm weather and snowless winters. In August of 1967 she welcomed her first daughter-in-law, Constance Berube, wife of her son James to the family. Her eyes swelled with joy and pride when their marriage brought two granddaughters to the family, Lorraine Ann and Carolyn Denise. The family grew in September 1967 when she welcomed her second daughter-in-law, Catherine Ann Ouren, wife of her son Pete, Jr to the family. Her joy increased three-fold with the birth of grandchildren Michael Peter, Deann Catherine, and David Philip. Children, especially infants and toddlers, were magnets in her life. They never ceased to bring a big smile to her face and the desire to hug and hold them even to the time of her passing. Marcella lost her life partner with the passing of her husband in 1978. Marcella was a strong and independent woman and returned to work cleaning houses to help support herself. Marcella returned to Montana in November of 2007 with her son James. Marcella, because of health, became a resident of the Apple Rehab Cooney in 2012 where she resided until her passing from natural causes on October 2, 2015 at the age of 91. Marcella was known and loved for her welcoming smile which she shared with everyone she met. She was often observed asking those around her how they were doing just to make sure they were ok. Marcella throughout her journey of life showed compassion for others, especially children. She believed children were special gifts to be nurtured, loved, guided and encouraged. She helped to raise her grandchildren with understanding and love. Her greatest smiles accompanied the glow of her eyes when her grandchildren and great grandchildren visited her. Marcella shares with us the following message of her faith from Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack”. “Even when I walk through a dark valley I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.” She ask us to reflect on the message “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove … But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child” (author unknown).
Marcella was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Surdock, her brothers Forest Lewis, Joseph Lewis, Bruce Lamar Lewis, and Delos Lewis; and by her sisters Grace Wallace and JoAnn Thom.
Marcella is survived by her son Pete Surdock (Catherine) of Helena, son John Surdock of Rocklin, California; brothers Alger Lewis (Ruth) of Bay Port, Michigan, Alfred Lewis (Sandy) of Washington Twp, Michigan, and sisters Martha Cooper of Cassopolis, Michigan, and Ruth Fisher of Corvallis, Montana and sister-in-law Cleo Lewis (Bruce) of Howell, Michigan. She is survived by grandchildren and their spouses Michael Surdock (Cindy), Lorraine Huseman, Carolyn Friedman (Kevin), Deann Denter (Dean), and David Surdock (Katie). She is survived by eleven great grandchildren Teague Sivertson, Briaunna Huseman, McKenzie Surdock (Jessica), Tucker Surdock, Dylan Denter, Dayton Denter, Caleb Surdock, Mariella Surdock, Nathan Friedman, Bailee Friedman, and Dryden Friedman. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
The family of Marcella not only includes her immediate members but also the many staff of Apple Rehab Cooney. She felt they had adopted her and frequently told her son what good care they provided to her and “this is a nice place”. The staff was warm, accepting, respectful, and provided a caring nurturing environment. Family members who visited Marcella at Cooney frequently commented on the high quality of care she received. The family of Marcella sincerely appreciates the compassion and love they showed to Marcella. Marcella was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Community of Helena, Montana.
Marcella and her family ask that instead of flowers a donation be made to help those in need at God’s Love of Helena, Montana, Helena Food Share, or St. Jude Hospital or to a charity of your choice.
Visitation will be at 6:30 p.m. with a vigil to be held at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6th at Saint Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Ave. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7th at Saint Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Ave. Rite of Committal will take place at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach, CA at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials in Marcella’s name are suggested to God’s Love 533 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601, the Kay McKenna Youth Foundation; KMYF PO Box 1260, Helena, MT 59624 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting: www.stjude.org.
Service Schedule
Visitation
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday October 6, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Vigil
7:15 p.m.
Tuesday October 6, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Wednesday October 7, 2015
Saint Mary Catyholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 5961
Service Schedule
Visitation
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday October 6, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Vigil
7:15 p.m.
Tuesday October 6, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Wednesday October 7, 2015
Saint Mary Catyholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 5961
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Allison Surdock says
Thinking of you in the year 2022. TIS THE SEASON