Margaret Guettler Bryson, age 97, died peacefully at her home on October 7, 2010.
She was born in Helena, Montana, to Henry and Margaret (Herold) Guettler on March 7, 1913.
Her childhood was spent on her family ranch in Lump Gulch, where she acquired a lifelong love for the outdoors and animals. Margaret attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse on Travis Creek. After her family was forced to sell the ranch in the early 1920’s, they moved to Helena. She attended Hawthorne Elementary School and Helena High School until she was called upon to care for her ailing mother.
After her mother recovered, Margaret took classes at the Helena Business College. Her first job was as an elevator operator at First National Bank, but, pursuant to bank policy, she was forced to resign upon her marriage to Michael F. Foley. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Michael and Marlene. Margaret was active in the Moose Drill Team and worked as a secretary at Foley’s Mill until their marriage dissolved.
In 1951, Margaret married Roy Bryson in Helena, Montana. For many years, Margaret operated a daycare from their home. Roy and Margaret enjoyed camping and fishing along the Blackfoot River and hunting game in the Stemple Pass area. In 1960, they purchased property with an old cabin on the Blackfoot River with construction partner Bud (Rosie) Baum and spent several years renovating the cabin. The cabin became a special gathering place for the family and served as a base camp for fishing the Blackfoot River and hunting the surrounding area.
Margaret also enjoyed embroidering and sewing crazy quilts. She was an excellent cook whose recipes could not be duplicated, as she cooked from memory with pinches or handfuls of this or that. Guests in her home never left hungry, as she always urged them to “eat, eat more.”
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved younger brother Rudy. She is survived by Roy Bryson, her husband of 59 years; her son Mike Foley, his companion Donna and her son A.J., and Mike’s children Mike I. (Janelle) and Debbie; her daughter Marlene Sandru, her husband Alex, and their children Rick (Jody), Steve (Tammy), and Lori (Joel); and, her sister-in-law Lorene Guettler, niece Ginger Guettler, and nephew Garry Guettler.
Margaret actively followed the lives of her twelve great-grandchildren and is remembered with love by Mike, Jonathan, Kaitlyn, and Michael Foley; Alexis, Ty, Joe, and Kjersten Sandru; Shandell and Hunter VanDonsel; and, Cody and Kori Clark.
There will never be another matriarch like our Granny B-her humor, soft chuckle, and endless kindness to all will be missed and cherished forever.
A memorial service is scheduled at 11 a.m., Wed., October 13, 2010 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Chapel. Memorials may be sent to Hospice of St. Peter’s, 2475 Broadway Helena, MT 59601 or to an organization of donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Jody Sandru says
Granny B oh how we are going to miss you! Your chuckle, your good nature, and all the sweet memories of summer days at the cabin and chats sipping black coffee and nibbling sugar cookies. No one can hold a candle to you! All the memories will keep us strong until we meet again. Love you forever!