Willa “Mae” Crouch Alsager Farrell passed away peacefully in her home in Clancy, MT on September 29th, 2014; she was 94 years of age.
Everyone called her Mae by her choice. She was born May 28th, 1920 in Vinton, SD to James and Barbara Crouch as one of nine children. The family moved to Rapid City, SD when she was just a child and she grew up with her siblings around her. Mae was an adventurous sort and in one instance she gave the excuse “I didn’t know the car was stolen” and the story ended there with a small smile. She met and fell in love with Gerald Alsager and they married May 28th, 1937. They made their home in Rapid City, and had two of their four children before packing up and moving to Cut Bank, MT in 1945 while her husband was in the Navy for WWII. Mae kept the family afloat by working as a grocery cashier and waitress. Twin boys joined their family and they settled to their life in Cut Bank.
Mae, tragically lost her husband, Gerald, October 1963 to cancer. Mae, a woman who loved life, met and married Raymond Farrell a few years later and they moved and made their life in Clancy, MT. Mae worked for many, many years at the nursing home, Alhambra Manor (renamed Hillbrook Nursing Home) until she finally retired. Though she never forgot the staff and residents she became close to and would often keep in touch. She loved to create and would often sew and crochet clothes, blankets and quilts for her friends and family. She prized her flower garden and spent many hours of enjoyment in it as well as her vegetable garden. Mae was always canning or preserving fruits and vegetables as well as making her own syrups and jellies.
Mae lost her second husband in 1998 and from there took on being a widow with grace and strength. She adored her family and kept up with her grandkids with energy and vigor. She would babysit often and when her great grand kids came along she never slowed down. She was one who would help out in a bind, and never allow anyone the time to feel sorry for themselves. She was tough, spunky and a woman with her own mind who spoke it frequently.
Mae’s life was rich, rich in love, rich with family. She had four children, four step-children, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren that to count them all would be a task. Mae was always up to the task.
Mae is preceeded in death by her parents James and Barbara Crouch, her husbands, Gerald Alsager, and Raymond Farrell, brothers, William, Joseph, Robert, John, James and sisters Ida, and Shirley, her son Donald John, and her daughter Betty Jean and granddaughters Marie and Anne as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and other members of her vast family.
Mae is survived by her sons, Gerald Alsager (Marie) of Spokane, WA, Ronald Alsager of Clancy, MT, and sisters Mary and Wanita of Cut Bank, MT; her step-children Ray, Chuck, Helen, and Diane, and all their wonderful children and grandchildren that showed Mae so much love over the years. There are many more grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren whom she loved and spent time with and never forgot a birthday or anniversary.
Mae will end her journey Thursday, Oct 2nd, 2014 at Crown Hill Cemetery in Cut Bank, MT.
Mae was a tough, determined woman with a big heart. Many loved her, and she loved many. She put her mark on this world with stamina and a no-nonsense look on life. She will never be forgotten and many will carry her life lessons with them, and pass them on for many years to come.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday October 2, 2014
Crown Hill Cemetery
Cut Bank, Montana 59427
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday October 2, 2014
Crown Hill Cemetery
Cut Bank, Montana 59427
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bambi kelly says
Mae was a beautiful woman and friend. She will greatly be miss ed by all that knew her. May she find peace .
Carol Ann Dagenais says
So many precious memories! Mae had so much spirit, energy and love, which she generously shared with everyone who was blessed to meet her!