Born January 29, 1928.
Marion Elizabeth Dartman
Marion Elizabeth Dartman passed away at the age of 84 at her home in Helena, Montana, in the presence of her family. Marion was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Alice Fraass, her sister Alice, and her brothers Charles, Edward, and Louis. Marion is survived by her husband, Thomas Dartman, her brother Frank (Vera) Fraass, her children Kathy (Steve) Schmidt, Jack (Kate) Dartman, and Dan (Anne) Dartman, and by many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren that she adored.
Marion was born near Flemington, New Jersey near the beginning of the great depression. Marion graduated from Flemington High School and was employed at a nearby pottery business following high school. An opportunity for Marion to move west and work for a family friend presented itself before long, and she arrived in Helena, Montana before her 20th birthday and began working at the RB drive-in as a car hop. Marion met her husband Tom while working at the RB, and the couple wed on June 3rd, 1950. The couple lived and worked in Helena for several years before moving to the valley north of East Helena where the couple purchased a farm and raised their family.
Marion and Tom always had jobs as well as their farm work, and Marion was employed by the postal service and worked at the East Helena Post Office for many years until her retirement. Marion was also very active in the Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Parish and had many friends that she cherished within the parish community. Tom and Marion moved from the farm shortly following their retirement.
Marion and Tom had a full life enriched by many family activities. Marion’s Montana family included her husband’s eight siblings and their families, which provided ample gifts of laughter and fun with family gatherings. Marion’s many sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, and nephews added immeasurably to her life, and she was blessed by their gifts of laughter, affection, and support.
Marion’s family life was enriched even further by the relocation of her sister Alice to Montana. The two sisters were very close to each other and also to their brothers. Marion’s parents moved to Montana in the 70’s to be closer to their daughters, and while they moved to a warmer climate for a period of time they relocated back to the Helena area where they remained until they passed away in their 90’s.
Marion’s brothers each made pilgrimages to Montana for long visits with their sisters, which always included long stays on the farm. Marion’s brothers and their children found Montana and their farm sojourns to be inviting and made repeated visits. The siblings, nieces, and nephews of both Marion and Tom embraced their farm experiences, and found their way onto the farm to help with haying, branding, irrigating, and feeding.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 7th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Rosary will be prayed at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 8th at the Cathedral of St. Helena with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at Noon. Rite of Committal will follow the mass in the Columbarium Niche at Resurrection Cemetery. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family condolences.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Bob Winfield says
My Auntie “MONO” a name I gave her when I was very young because I couldn’t say Marion, was a very special person. It would be impossible to find someone as genuine and kind than she. There are so many fun memories and stories it would take a book to cover them. This was a better place because of her something few others can claim. I will miss my Auntie but I know she is in a much better place and has a lot of great company now.
I Love You
Cheryl Vukasin says
Dear Tom,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. We were so very sorry to hear about your wife. Please know we are here for you.
DeAnn Caussyn says
Condolences to all her family –
Debbie Hrella DeMers says
I absolutely loved your Mother. She always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. The angels are rejoicing in Heaven as she joined them.
Greg and Cathy Kovich says
Tom, Jack and family, we are sorry for your loss. May all the memories carry you through until you meet Marion again. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hanna says
I wrote a poem for my grandma that I thought was very true and what I think she would want. Here it is! 😀
Tears
A tear can always happen,
When someone you love gets lost.
You try to hold them back,
Until you’ve lost the cause.
When that tear rolls down your face,
It’s like they’re slipping away.
So you try to hold them in, And let the memories stay.
You know you’ll always love her,
You’ll never be apart.
Cause deep insied you know it’s true,
She’s always in you heart.
Love you grandma!!!
Hope you liked it! 😀
Mary Casey says
What wonderful memories I have of Marion and my Mom having coffee. Now they shall share another cup together. I have missed my weekly visits with Marion while I did her hair at Stylers all those years. My prayers are with you all.
Michael Casey says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Marion is remembered as one of the nicest and most caring people I’ve ever known. Marion and my mother performed so many caring acts as they visited the sick and they never wanted any kind of recognition.
I’m blessed to have known Marion.
Patti & Scott Guenthner & Family says
Aunt Marion & Uncle Tom were such a special pair. Its hard to imagine one without the other. Looking back, there are so many fond memories of Marion. Marion sitting quietly always absorbing the conversation at hand until she broke into a big loud laugh (probably at one on Tom’s jokes or stories); such a gentle, loving, kind, caring spirit that always enveloped those around her. She always seemed at peace with herself & with the world. Condolences to Tom, Kathy, Jack, Danny & their families.
We love you Aunt Marion.
Patti, Scott, Mitch, Missy, Casey & Jaclyn Guenthner
Shawna Pratt says
Dear Jack, Kate & family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Please know we are all thinking of you and praying for God’s peace for you. Blessings…
Stephanie and Mike Nelson says
Dear Tom and Family,
Please know how very sorry we are for the loss of your precious wife and mother. She was a lovely woman and friend. You are in our prayers.
Steve Schmidt Family says
You leave us with such good memories of our summer visits to Helena. We herded barn cats on your farm! The grandkids were always soaked from water gun battles in your back yard! 🙂 We had many barbeques and many laughs together. We will definitely miss your smile, those warm hugs, and your great hospitality. You showed us how to live one day at a time, to enjoy the simple things around us, and to relish the gathering of family and friends.
Love always,
Steve, Kathy, Alec, and Jenna.
PS: When you see aunt Alice up there, could you ask her how those wild barn cats are doing that we caught for her and would she like a few more? :):):):)
Todd Cockrell says
Aunt Marion will always be a huge influence on me. Very positive indeed! 🙂
Nephew Todde
Tom Cockrell says
What a special lady.
Valerie and Bob Raisch says
Jack and Kate and family,
We extend our deepest sympathy to you and the rest of your family on the passing of your mom. May your many wonderful memories bring you comfort and peace and may your faith sustain you.
Val and Bob in Ocala, FL.