Delores Mathern

Delores Mathern, 88, of Billings, formerly of Lewistown, passed away on May 25, 2018, in Billings. Her husband Frank preceded her in death on June 22, 2015. A memorial service for Frank and Delores will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30, at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Lewistown. A reception will follow at the Eagle's Club.

Delores was born in Butte to Peter and Catherine Armbrust Kunz on Jan. 31, 1930, the fifth of their eight children. She attended school in Butte and, after finishing the eighth grade, worked to help support the family. Following WWII, she met her future husband, Frank Mathern, and they were married in Saint Lawrence Church in Walkerville on Oct. 16, 1948.

Delores and Frank moved four times during his time with the Milwaukee Railroad, coming to rest in Lewistown. Delores was homemaker by profession and, together with Frank, raised five children, Jo (Tom) Kelly of Billings, David (Kathy) Mathern of Lewistown, Mary Lou (Mick) Jones of Billings, Karl (Karen) Mathern of Erie, Colorado and Paul (Kerry) Mathern of Lafayette, Colorado.

Her home was her domain and she took care of the cooking and cleaning, and entertainment if you played Pinochle. Those who knew Delores were often treated to some silent conversations, such as a raised eyebrow, a sideways glance or a bit of a crooked smile. She always had the last word even if it was just "Okay." She enjoyed traveling to polka fests with her husband. She loved family gatherings and rarely missed the opportunity to be with them, and especially enjoyed her trips with her sisters and visits to family and friends. She especially enjoyed her time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Eleanor and her husband of 66 years.

She is survived by her children, 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; her sisters, Hildegarde Fisher of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Carrie Scott of Dallas, Texas, Lucille Sullivan of Butte; her brothers, Harry Kunz of Butte, Raymond "Bud" Kunz of Oregon and Ron Kunz of Great Falls.

Memorial services for Delores will be held in Billings, at 11 a.m. Friday, June 29, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, with interment following at Holy Cross Cemetery.