Merry Hope Lunde
December 23, 1954 – September 24, 2020
Merry Hope was born on December 23, 1954 to Thomas “Gene” and Mary Jane Rice in Helena, MT. She joined her older brother Tom and later became the middle child when Kim “ReRe” arrived. Merry attended local schools, graduating from Helena High School in 1973.
After high school, Merry moved to Oregon where she studied interior design at Bassist Institute and graduated in May 1974. In October 1974, she met the love of her life and best friend, Gary Lunde, when she moved back to Helena. They were married February 7, 1976 at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Helena, MT. She helped raise Gary’s son Brian. Her dreams came true as she became a mom when Cory James joined the family in January 1979. A couple years later, they welcomed their daughter Megan Hope in June 1982. During their childhoods, the family enjoyed summers at the lake, camping at Dog Creek, trick-or-treating with all the kids (Merry often making costumes), 4th of July at Shannon Court, holidays, and many other family gatherings. In April 2004, Merry received her most cherished nickname “Mimi” when Mackenzie Hope was born. They instantly formed an incredible bond that continued to grow throughout the years. In September 2011, she gained another son when Megan married Devin. In February 2013, Merry was delighted to become a Mimi again when Cody Thomas was born. Their family grew once more when Cory married Jessie in September 2018, she gained another daughter and was excited to add two more grandchildren, Rowen Pennell and Marin Jane. All her grandchildren were so loved by Merry. Mimi was a title Merry wore with utmost pride and joy as she watched the kids grow each year.
Merry had an eye for décor and worked at various stores until deciding to follow her dream and open her own store, Hope & Co., at Capital Hill Mall in 1992. She loved going to market every year and picking out wonderful things for the store. She had an amazing gift at making anything beautiful, from wrapping presents with the most beautiful bows, to decorating a room with the ease most would only dream of having. She used this amazing gift for many years at the Festival of Trees. This event benefited one of her most cherished organizations, Intermountain Children’s Home. She decorated the tree for Rocky Mountain Credit Union and won numerous awards such as Best in Show, Governor’s Award, and the People’s Choice. She also served on the committee for several years and helped decorate for the “Tea in the Trees” event. In 1999, she decided to close the store and move onto her next adventure. In 2000, she joined the team at Touchmark on Saddle Drive. She started at the front desk, moved up to Marketing Director, and finally the Executive Director until she retired in 2015. Merry was instrumental in the creation of the Memory Care units. The residents at Touchmark were all like family to her and she made an effort to get to know them personally. She deeply cared for each one of them and treasured the time she spent with them.
Merry and Gary loved to travel, including trips to Washington D.C. with the Rice crowd, the Oregon Coast, Washington, Disneyland, Europe, Mexico, and Hawaii. They enjoyed exploring the cities or simply sitting on the beach, drinking margaritas, and putting their feet in the sand. Her goal was to always become a “bronze goddess”. They also loved to escape for weekends to Merry’s favorite place: Spokane, WA. They would eat at their favorite restaurants: Milford’s and The Onion. Gary would of course follow Merry around for hours while she “shopped until she dropped” for clothes for herself and her grandkids.
Merry Hope was an incredible wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, grandma, and friend. She treated everyone like family and opened her arms to all. She cared deeply for the people in her life and wore her heart on her sleeve. Her smile and laugh would light up a room. She will be forever missed but not forgotten. We should all live our life with “Hope” as she did.
In March 2017, Merry was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. For the following three years, Merry met this battle with poise and grace as she did with everything else in her life. She kept her wit and laugh until she succumbed to the disease on September 24, 2020.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Mary Jane Rice; father-in-law Odd “Jim” Lunde; and grandparents Clifford and Bertha Cerney and Thomas and Florence Rice.
She is survived by her husband Gary Lunde, son Cory (Jessie) Lunde, daughter Megan (Devin) Alfson, stepson Brian Lunde; grandchildren Mackenzie Lynch, Cody Alfson, and Rowen and Marin Salisbury; brother Tom (Sharon) Rice and sister Kim (Bill) Susag; mother-in-law Arlene Lunde; sister-in-law Dawn Russell, brothers-in-law Larry (Ruth) Lunde, Alan (Melanie) Lunde, and Scott (Jennifer) Lunde; aunts Ardis Rice and Esther (Kyle) Dearing; nieces and nephews: Nolan, Mike, Kelsey, Tami, Amy, Craig, Aaron, Neal, Seth, Quinn, Zackery, Logan, and Madison; several cousins and friends whom she loved dearly; and her loyal dog, Lucy.
The family would like to thank the staff at Touchmark and St. Peter’s Hospice for the care they gave to Merry and her family. We would also like the thank her countless friends and family that helped with meals or simply visited with her.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 8th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday October 9th at the Funeral Home. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Intermountain Children’s Home, St. Peter’s Hospice, or Alzheimer’s Association of Montana.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 8, 2020
Anderon Stevenson Wilke Fuenral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday October 9, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Friday October 9, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 8, 2020
Anderon Stevenson Wilke Fuenral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday October 9, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Friday October 9, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Rhonda Robertson says
Dear Kim and Family,
So sorry for the loss of your sweet sister. I pray the memories you hold close within your heart will comfort you in the days ahead and overtime fill you with joy. God gives us comfort in the form of family and friends. May His peace be with you, His love never ends. You have our most heartfelt sympathy.
Bruce and Rhonda (Strainer) Robertson
Tom, Sheila, Evan & Emma says
We are so thankful we had our Aunt Merry . Merry will always be in our hearts.
Kelly Rhimer says
To Merry’s family………..Merry was a joyful kind person. I met her when she had the store in the mall. Loved shopping there, and of course chatting. She was always so kind. Will miss her.
Susan Parrett says
Kim. Kelsey and family, so very sorry for your loss. I admire all you did to support the cause. She is in a better place and I hope you hold on to that. 🙁
Kim Longmire- Reinhardt says
Gary & Cory
I am so sorry about the loss of your beautiful wife and mom! I will miss her deeply and am thankful I got to take care of her until she took her last breath! You guys are in my thoughts and prayers and remember it’s one day at a time! She will always be watching out for you!!!
Kat Chappell says
My most favorite memory of Merry is her and I dancing to the oldies when she first moved into Touchmark. I will miss her laugh and her “oh shit” so much. Thank you to the Lunde family for giving me the time to know an s love her. She will always have a peice of my heart!
Connie Conley says
My best memories of Merry was her incredible sense of style, loved to tell me where to get stylish clothes! She was also responsible for getting me hooked on Orphan Girl & diet root beer! My most sincere condolences to her family.
Mary Runkel says
Merry was such a lovely person her smile lit up any room she was in whether it was at the store or at TouchMark. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time
Tom Reilly says
Gary and Family,
Merry was a great person, with a great personality and smile. We always enjoyed seeing her. She was a life-long friend and made a positive difference to so many I know. ‘Thoughts are with you. Take care.
Tom and Gina Reilly
Debbie Cole Zuidema says
Kim, Tom and families,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful sister, Merry Hope.
I will treasure the memories from our neighborhood, and being able to play in the fun yard!
My thoughts and prayers to you all,
Debbie Cole Zuidema
Shirley Cole says
Tom, Kim and families
My deepest sympathy to you all. Merry Hope was a very classy lady and so creative. I enjoyed visiting with Mary Jane about her beautiful daughter. I know that God has you all in the palm of his had and will give you peace. May Blessings help you get through the trying years that are up coming. Tom and Kim give hugs to you both and I know God is granting you peace.
Shirley Cole
Cherie' Lowry says
Gary, Tom & Sharon, Kim & Bill,
We are so sorry to hear of Cousin Hope’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families during this difficult time. May abundant memories of happier times abound in your remembrance. May God bless you and give you peace.
In Empathy,
Mike & Cherie’ Lowry
Janet Riis says
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Merry was one of my first “bosses” at Duvals way back when. She was a great supervisor and I enjoyed becoming friends with her. I will miss her dearly! Take care of your family during this difficult time.
Prayers,
Janet Riis
Mitch Hegman says
My thoughts are with the entire family. She left us way too early. Keep the fond memories close.
Bruce and Shelly Riggin says
Merry had a great life and wonderful family! She was truly blessed. Although it was to short. We are so very sorry for your loss. She will be missed so much. Remember the goid times.
Diane Langenfus says
My deepest condolences to the family. I first met Merry at the mall in her business Hope &Co. She was very talented and had a great eye for design. The community of Helena will definitely miss all her involvement in so many good causes.
Lori Pillatzke says
Dear Gary & family,
I first met Merry at her store and then later worked with her at Touchmark. I remember well when her first grandchild was born. She was so happy! I loved working around her for all of her years at Touchmark. She was a very special lady and she was taken too soon.
Sincerely,
Lori Pillatzke
Arlene G Diehl says
I have been looking to see Merry’s Obit– thank you so much for sharing the loving memories. She was quite fun– I will always remember her dry wit!
Connie (Sands) Jerome says
My earliest memories of Merry are from Kessler school where she and my red headed sister Vicky Lynn became good friends. She would always come to my defense when my sister was giving me heck. Merry told me I would always be her little sister. Through the years we kept in touch via events in town, one being the Festival of Trees, or when I’d see her at TouchMark. She will be missed. I’m glad she is no longer suffering and can be free in heaven. Until we meet again my friend. May GOD grant you peace and plenteous happy memories to hold in your heart. With my love and prayers to the entire family.
Polly Carter-Maynard says
Merry Hope and I were great friends in grade school at Kessler. She was so funmy and fun to be with! We had some great times together. Yes, we did get into trouble some, but she turned out OK!
Theresa Racicot says
I loved Merry and admired her incredible talent. Her great artistic ability was only overshadowed by her lovely personality and care of others.
She was so kind and caring at Touchmark to all the families whose loved ones resided there.
I am so sad for your loss. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Theresa and Marc Racicot
Kari Reighard says
I have so many memories! Going shopping for ” school clothes ” every year to Great Falls with our mom’s and sister’s, Kim and Gail. Staying the night and eating out at a nice restaurant, singing along in the car ride coming home. Running in the field in front of the house on Spring St. Look out for the gopher holes!!! As we got a little older, many snowmobile parties and camping trips. As our families grew, everyone getting together usually around Christmas. Merry was a cherished childhood friend, and I will miss her.
Kari Flansaas Reighard
Margaret L Woo says
I first met Merry at her store. A good friend of mine worked for her, so thereafter, I couldn’t stay out of that shop! By the time we had to move my parents to Touchmark, she was the Executive Director there, and made every effort to make them feel welcome and at home in their new home. When Mom learned that Merry had moved in, she would check in on her when she visited her other friends in her unit. Mom really appreciated her leadership while she was the director. I really appreceiate her efforts when Mom was having some medical issues-she was in her office after hours when I had to stop in, having returned from an out of town trip. My deepest condolences to her family.
Margaret Woo
Laureen Grovom Dordal says
Godspeed….
Kristine Sveinson says
Kim
I was so sorry to hear about Merry’s passing. I was first acquainted with her when she owned Hope & Company on the mall (she always remembered me when there was a new Raikes Bear or CPK porcelain doll). And then again when Mom was staying at Touchmark – she was so helpful and patient.
Wishing you and all your family peace and comfort at this time and in the future.
Joanna Reagan says
To Gary, Cory, Megan and family – Merry will be missed. I will miss her for her stories and humor. I will always remember her for her classy style of decorating and celebrating, for family picnics, for her fun! Many hugs from a distance! Much love, Joanna, Keith, Shane and Kayla
Angie Cejka says
I’m so lucky to have met Merry. She made me feel accepted. I hope your memories of her give you comfort through the coming months.
Howard Haines says
I remember Merry at Touchmark where my Dad Tex had moved. She was such a lovely lady. I am so sorry for your loss and am praying for your family. God bless.