Mary Rose Derks

Mary Rose Derks, 91, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls from complications of a stroke.

A Rosary Vigil will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 ^nd 7 pm at St. Francis Catholic Church in Valier.    Mary Rose’s funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3 ^rd at 2:00 pm. at St. Francis. If you knew her well, please feel free to wear clothing as bright and colorful as she was.  Interment to follow at the Lake View Cemetery in Valier

Mary Rose was born on August 26, 1925 in Williams, MT to Belgian immigrants Rene’ and Marie Nauw VandePopilier and grew up on the family farm east of Valier by the Belgian Hill.   She attended the Belgian School her early years. She and her younger sister Berniece, spent many hours helping on the farm and ranch, working with cattle, helping their mom with raising turkeys and playing on the windy prairie.   She told stories of the harsh winters in the “Flat Coulee”.  Mary Rose attended Valier High School for a short time, but left to take care of her mother, who was very ill.  When her father died in 1949, she continued to help her mother operate the family farm.  She did complete her GED and later studied some nursing courses.

Mary Rose, along with her mother and sister, Berniece, shared adventures on travels to California, Arizona and many other states.   In 1953, they spent 3 months touring Belgium and France, visiting family on both her mother and father’s sides.  Mary Rose had stories to tell about the trip over the Atlantic on the Queen Mary and other parts of the trip that made it so special to her.

In the late 1950’s, Mary Rose worked as a bookkeeper for the Coop Supply Center, while living in Conrad.   There at work, she met a handsome man from Missouri named Martin Derks, who was the propane delivery man.   Martin and Mary Rose got married on June 20, 1962 at St. Michaels in Conrad.    Martin was the second oldest of 14 children and with that Mary Rose was welcomed into a large extended family.

Martin and Mary Rose farmed and lived near the Belgian Hill until the late 1960’s when they moved to the farm north of Valier.    They had 3 children:  Jackie born in 1964, Dave born in 1965 and Karla born in 1967.   On March 29, 1982, Martin passed away suddenly and shortly after that, Mary left the farm to move to Valier.    That farm remains in the family and continues to be the “home place” of many gatherings and holidays that continue to grow as her family does.

A few years later, she moved to Conrad and took care of her mother, Marie, until her passing in 1985.  Mary Rose did travel one more time to Europe in 1987 and took some other shorter trips.  She loved to travel and said she felt fortunate to travel while she could. She treasured the long distance bond with her relatives in Belgium, France and Texas. An occasional surprise visit in person from them would bring her so much joy and her memory impressed everyone.

She was a devout Catholic Christian and member of St. Michael and St. Francis Parishes.  Mary Rose loved her large garden, sewing, watching cooking shows and life on the farm.  Mary Rose was known for her colorful clothes, personality and life.  Among her greatest joys in later years were her family, grandchildren and reminiscing of “the old times”   She was excited to see that the Sacred Heart Mission Church at the Belgian Colony was being restored.   A couple years ago, she enjoyed a summer drive, along with her dear, lifelong friend Ber Widhalm, to view the new roof being placed and the beginning of that project.   This is where she and Berniece were baptized and their parents are buried.

Mary Rose loved music.  She had learned to play piano while living on the farm and this is something she enjoyed throughout her life.    Mary Rose surprised everyone last year when she sat down to the piano at the nursing home and began to play Christmas music.    She had taken guitar lessons and had quite a collection of sheet music.  One of her favorite songs was “You are My Sunshine”. That song will always bring a smile and laugh to all those close to her, as it did to her.

In 2000, she moved to the Horizon Lodge and then due to failing health in 2002, she moved to the Bee Hive Homes in Conrad, where she enjoyed the company of other ladies and the caring staff.  In 2014, after her first stroke she moved to Pondera Medical Center Extended Care where again, she enjoyed the activities and fellowship. New friendships were made and old acquaintances from her days in Valier were re-kindled at the Horizon, BeeHive and PMC Ext. Care.

Mary Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Martin, sister,  Berniece Blockeel, father Rene’, mother Marie.    She is survived by her 3 children, 9 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; Daughter, Jackie Wheeler and husband Ken Jr. of Valier, Kristin (Casey) Vandenacre, Patrick (Sarah) Wheeler, Casey Wheeler and Deidre (Marty) Woolf; Son, Dave and wife Tracy Derks of Sheridan, WY; Daughter, Karla Seaman and husband, Ken of Great Falls, Beth (Shawn) Branam and Jasmine, Faith Hurley, Kate (Stephen) Scott and Abbi, Juli Seaman, Lauren Seaman and Geneh Beston; and 31 nieces and nephews throughout the United States

Mary Rose, fondly known by her grandchildren as Grandma RoRo, will be greatly missed and her entire family will treasure many good memories of her.

Her suffering is done and she is now in peace and comfort of the Lord with many of the loved ones she has missed for so long.