Mario Bonino Cervelli
Born in Temu, Italy on July 13, 1926, Mario Cervelli died on November 14, 2021 at the age of 95. Mario lived his first ten years of life in Temu and immigrated to the United States in 1936 with his mother Fridale, sister Frances and brother Dino arriving in Helena where his father awaited them. He lived west of town next to the big metal barn on the Leggerini ranch, attended Baxendale School, worked the ranch with his father, hunted with his friends, and caddied at the Pine Hills Country Club becoming the club caddy champion in 1937.
Mario’s father died in 1941 and he left school to help the family. Mario joined the Army and went back to Italy arriving at the very end of the war and because he was Italian served as a driver for U.S military leaders.
Mario returned to Helena, married Janet Bader and they had four children, Nina, Jim, Lisa and Natalie. Later they divorced. Mario delivered beverages for Kessler Brewery and later for Clausen Distributing. He enjoyed golf, playing poker and eating meals with his friends, watching Notre Dame and Green Bay Packers football, the New York Yankees and being a grandfather. He was a part of St. Helena Cathedral since 1936.
Mario was preceded in death by his father Cesare, mother Freda, and brother Dino. He is survived by his sister Frances Shull, his children Nina (Keith) Johnson, Jim Cervelli, Lisa (Randy) Routzahn, and Natalie Cervelli; his grandchildren Maria (Austin) Woetzel, Grace Johnson, and Tanner Routzahn; and great grandchildren Will and Maryn Woetzel and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mario’s vigil service will be Monday, November 22, at 6:00 pm at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. The funeral Mass will be Tuesday, November 23, at 12:00 noon at St. Helena’s Cathedral followed by a reception in Brondel Center. A graveside service will be on Wednesday, November 24, at 10:00 am at Resurrection Cemetery. The public is invited to all the services.
Mario and his mother used to say, in Italian, usually under their breath, roughly translated, “Drop down the basket and pull me up.” The basket finally dropped. Peace to his memory.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6 p.m.
Monday November 22, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12 p.m.
Tuesday November 23, 2021
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Tuesday November 23, 2021
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59602
Rite of Committal
10 a.m.
Wednesday November 24, 2021
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Vigil
6 p.m.
Monday November 22, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12 p.m.
Tuesday November 23, 2021
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Tuesday November 23, 2021
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59602
Rite of Committal
10 a.m.
Wednesday November 24, 2021
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
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Suzanne Marie Wilke says
Oh Natalie I am sorry to hear about your Dad.
Prayers for you and your family.
Sue
Cathy Viores says
Dear Natalie & Jim – we are all so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts.
Your friends at Helena WinCo #152
Ken Fleury says
Nina, Jim, and Natalie, I am sorry for your loss. I will always remember Mario as a jolly fellow who was very friendly. I enjoyed his company and the stories he would tell. Deepest condolences.
Sherri Lynn Anderson says
Jim
I am sorry to to hear about the passing of your dad. May all the loving memories of your dad give you and your family comfort
Sally Russell says
Sorry to hear about your loss. I meet Mario at Broadwater and there I heard his great life stories. RIP my friend. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
cheryl boucher says
Jim
I am sorry for your loss. I hope your memories ease these difficult days.
deb stansberry says
So sorry to hear of Uncle Mario passing. keep his memories close … love and prayers to the family….
Robert P Crum says
So sorry to hear about the lose of such a great man . He was such a inspiration to me and my family. He will be missed dearly. thinking and praying for you all in your time of loss Nina , Jim , Lisa ,and Natalie.
Lynn Cochran says
Cervelli family,
I’m so sorry for your loss! I had many great visits with Mario and enjoyed my times with the whole family. It’s wonderful for you all to have so many memories with him. Prayers and Blessings to you all.
Karla Bachmeier says
Jim, sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. I lost mine in late July so know the fresh grieving you are going through. Praying for you and your family. Take care of yourself neighbor.
Jean Stump Strainer says
Cervelli Family – I’m deeply saddened to read that your dad passed away. Oh, the 60-year history and fond memories our childhood neighborhood families have. A special thank you to Dick Kain, who made it possible for my dad, Mike, and your dad to retain their friendship well into their twilight years. May God bless all of you with peace, love, and a warm smile when you think about your dad. May the perpetual light shine upon him.
Peter and Michelle Van Nice says
So very sorry for your loss. Keeping you in our prayers.
Peter and Michelle Van Nice
Sherri Ohs-Mosley says
Nina and Keith, Randy and i are very sorry for your loss. We read with great interest the book that Keith had written about Mario and the relationship you had with him all these years. We are keeping your family in our prayers.
Allen Stennhjem says
Keep in the short grass my friend God Bless…
Wilda McGraw says
Jim…..I am so sorry to read about the passing of your dad. I hope you find comfort as you celebrate his long life and the many happy memories. Blessings to you and your family.
Jim Walczak says
Mario has been a cherished friend and a great golfing buddy that will be greatly missed, We loved getting together to go for rides and having dinner and hear his wonderful stories about Italy and sharing the place where he caddied and lived next to the big metal barn. More recently, it was a great pleasure to take him to lunch or take him a piece of pie. He will be forever remembered in our hearts. We love you Mario.
Jim & Mrs. Walczak
Jerry Crum says
So sorry to hear about my dear uncle was a dear family member.
Jo and Paul Bryson says
So very sorry for your loss. 💔😢 Lifting you up in prayers love and compassion. Blessings to you all!🙏🏻🥰
Ralph Beer says
I once hunted deer with Mario, my father, and Elmer (Buzz) Wallace, when I was a boy. We each killed a deer that day, and I never forgot what a nice man Mario was. I’m so glad he had a long and happy life.
Tom Juhl says
I always knew Mario as “Mike”, I will always remember that smile. Mike would bring Clausen Dist. trucks to Dad’s shop top be work on. Rest In Peace MIKE………
Tim Easton says
I worked with Mario at Clausen Dist. In the early and mid 70s. We were both New York Yankees fans. Will never forget those days. Things were way different back then. Life was pretty simple and straight forward back then. I miss those days. Got to be good friends with Mario. He was genuine. What you saw is what you got. RIP MIKE.
Roberto Zamboni says
Siamo dispiaciuti e vi siamo vicini per la perdita di zio Mario. Ricordandolo qui con noi a Temù porgiamo a tutti le nostre più vive condoglianze. Marcella,Roby, Mario e Matteo e famiglie.
Famiglia Pasina says
Profondamente addolorati partecipiamo al vostro dolore per la perdita del caro Mario. Lo ricordiamo con un bel sorriso, un abbraccio da tutti noi.
Famiglia Pasina del ristorante Traviolo