Marie Petek Moore
October 2nd, 1932 – August 15th, 2021
Our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend passed away August 15th, 2021 in Bellingham, WA.
Marie was born October 2nd, 1932, the youngest of five children of Steve and Annie Petek. Marie spent most of her life in East Helena. She lived in Long Beach, CA for a short time and the family lived at Canyon Ferry in the late 60’s. Her last few years were spent living with her daughter, Lorrine and her family, in Mount Vernon, WA followed by the last year in assisted living.
Marie always had great stories of growing up in East Helena. Her favorites were: going “over to town and get a bucket of beer” everyday so it was cold when her dad came off shift from the smelter. She loved to show how she could whip the bucket around in a ferris wheel motion and not spill a drop. Christmas was always a big affair and she always shared how they went Christmas tree hunting in the hills in the back of Uncle Pete’s truck and her dad would ride in the back and sing Christmas carols with the kids. There were the winter nights with her sisters, all in the same bed. To keep warm they used a bear skin coat that was worn by their grandpa Petek. There were also serious times as both of her brothers served in the Navy in WWII. Being the youngest, by 5 years, she had stories of her older brothers’ and sisters’ escapades. Some of them were innocent and some not so much.
Much of her early life centered around “the cousins”. There were picnics at Petek’s Grove, school days with at least one cousin in every grade, wine making and visiting with her extended family. Marie attended St. Ann’s Catholic school in East Helena and graduated from Cathedral High School. She was a lifelong member of Sts Cyril & Methodius Catholic church. She was also a member of the East Helena VFW women’s auxiliary.
At some point in the 1950’s, she set off on a European vacation that centered around Rome. It was important to visit the center of the Catholic church that she was devoted to.
In the spring of 1962 the buzz around East Helena was of the new guy that just moved to town. She would tell the story of standing on Main Street talking to two of her friends when the new guy parked down the street. One of them made a comment about the new “cool cat” in town. Mom didn’t say anything as she had a date that night with him and was afraid he wouldn’t show up, he did. On June 23rd, 1962 she and Larry Moore were married in Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church. They spent the next 43 years together until Larry passed away in 2005.
Those 43 years were filled with Easter egg hunts at the park followed up by the obligatory “a drink” at Frank’s Place before Easter dinner. Baseball games and track meets in the summer, basketball and band in the winter were a part of life. The Petek tradition of family on the 4th of July and Christmas Eve were events everyone looked forward to.
Along with the yearly trek to Jerome, Idaho to see Larry’s side of the family, there were trips to San Diego, Dallas, Reno, Las Vegas, California and Canada. There were also trips to Washington and Oregon to see the grandkids. She somehow found the time to play her slot and poker machines. After Larry passed away in 2005, she continued to make trips to Las Vegas, Nashville, CA, WA and OR. She had always wanted to see Hawaii and Pearl Harbor. In 2018, Lorrine arranged a vacation for her and some of the family. She said that would be her last trip. Later that year she decided she wanted to go to the Grand Canyon and then Las Vegas.
Marie was the definition of “working mom”. She spent most of her time working for the Department of Agriculture and retired in 1992 after two separate stints with Mountain Bell, ATT and finally USWest.
In her later years, she received great joy from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even as her memory began to fail, she knew who each one was, what made them special and what they were involved in.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband Larry, her parents: Steve and Annie Petek, brothers: Steve (Beverly) Petek, Jim (Bessie) Petek, sisters: Ellen (Stan) East, Garnet (Jack) Dietrich. Her granddaughter, Tiffany Donovan, great grandson Riley Reichle, all of her in-laws on Larry’s side and several nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her children Joe Moore, Mike (Suzette) Moore, Lorrine (Rick) Donovan, Holly (Joe) Wildey and Jeff (Melissa) Moore. Grandchildren Nichole (Kenny) Paine, Shasta (Troy) Roberts, Peyton Donovan, Tyler (Allyson) Raney, Alley (Steven) Johnson, Shanna Moore, Colin Moore and Natalie Roehrs, fifteen great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews that she thought the world of.
Viewing will be 1:00-6:00 Tuesday at Retz Funeral Home 315 E. 6th Ave. Helena
Rosary will be Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 at 6:00 pm at Retz
Funeral services will be at St. Cyril & Methodius Catholic church in East Helena August 25th at noon with burial at St. Ann’s Cemetery and lunch to follow at the church.
Service Schedule
Viewing
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 24, 2021
Retz Funeral Home
315 East 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 24, 2021
Retz Funeral Home
315 East 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 25, 2021
St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Burial
Following the Funeral Mass
Wednesday August 25, 2021
St. Ann's Cemetery
3600 Highway 12 East
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Viewing
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 24, 2021
Retz Funeral Home
315 East 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 24, 2021
Retz Funeral Home
315 East 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 25, 2021
St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Burial
Following the Funeral Mass
Wednesday August 25, 2021
St. Ann's Cemetery
3600 Highway 12 East
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Doug Stipcich says
Someone has to be first so here goes. Joe, Mike, Lorraine, Holly and Jeff and families, words can’t really describe the sadness that I am feeling after learning of the passing of your mother. Kudo’s to each and every one of you who did everything you could to make her last few years with us as enjoyable as possible. I could see the joy she was experiencing in her eyes on many of the photos shared of the excursions. Though it was not ideal, this is the perfect example of the fact that you can take the person out of the 227, but it is impossible to take the 227 out of the person. Please find peace in knowing that she is reunited with your father and all of the others from the old stomping grounds that have left us before now. She was one of the most genuine people I have met in my lifetime and surely will be missed by everyone who knew her. May you rest in peace Mrs. Moore.
Sandy East says
Your Mom was such a lovely person. She was so kind and pleasant to Stan and our family every time we visited all of you , when we came home. Blessings to all of you
Love Sandy East
Susan (Bass) Proul says
So very sorry for your loss. May she rest in eternal peace
Glen J Cuchine says
My thoughts are with you all at this time. Marie’s smile and sense of humor made East Helena a better place. May your wonderful memories sustain you during this difficult time.
Connie Fairbairn says
Moore family, I remember our get togethers camping or the Easter egg hunts in East Helena and playing in the park while our family was at Smiths. Those were the good old days.I am very happy to call your mom Auntie Marie. She treated us as her own. I am very saddened to hear of your loss. Now she is with the rest of the families and talking about the days of fun. Our hugs and prayers are with all of you. Auntie Marie say hello to the rest of the families . Love Connie and Tom
Sharlene East says
Hi, I treasured how she would pick me up in Helena and take me to East Helena. She always told me stories. I am going to miss her. Sharlene
Sharlene East says
Hi, I treasured how she would pick me up in Helena and take me to East Helena. It was fun listening to her stories. I am going to miss her. Sharlene