Mary T. Duenow

Mary T. Duenow passed away peacefully on the morning of Sept. 2, 2017, after a rapid decline in health caused by a rare and fatal condition called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Mary was born to Bill and Agnes Kisling on Dec. 9, 1940, in Hutchinson, Minnesota, the youngest of six children. She graduated from Hutchinson High School. She married Charlie Duenow on Oct. 28, 1959. Mary worked as a lab technician at Hutchinson Medical Center and 3M before moving to Montana in November 1970. Mom loved Montana. We would drive for hours so she could take pictures of the mountains and old barns. She was an avid amateur photographer. She wouldn't walk around the block but would walk a mile to take the perfect picture. Some of her greatest pleasures were collecting angels, sewing doll clothes and baby blankets, and quilting. She refused to let a quilt pattern get the best of her.

Mary worked for a lighting fixture store before being hired as one of the original grocery checkers of "Buttreys" on Sixth and Central. She loved her job and the many customers who became good friends.She was released from employment due to rheumatoid arthritis. She often commented how she cried when she watched them demolish the original store. Her latest adventure over the last 12 years, until four weeks before she passed, was volunteering at Jaynes Signature Sweets as the sweet smiling face behind the counter, Underwater Ceramic Technician and Queen of Cream Cheese mints. She also had the wherewithal to help decorate in a pinch.

Mary is survived by her loving husband of almost 58 years, Charlie; children Jayne Duenow and Randy Duenow; grandchildren Jake Duenow (Chelsey), Shannon Duenow, adopted daughter Judi Kittson and fur baby Hey. She is also survived by her two sisters, one brother, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A heartfelt debt of gratitude to the doctors and nursing staff of Billings Clinic Third Floor and ICU for the extra special TLC given to Miss Mary and our family.

A celebration of Mary's life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 537 Grand Ave., in Billings. Donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.