Mary Lu Wentworth

Mary Lu Wentworth, age 91, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2024, in Conrad, MT, after a brief illness. She was born two months premature on her grandparents’ farm to Clyde and Ethel (Stokes) Gaines. Weighing only three pounds at birth, she was kept alive by sleeping in a shoebox in her Grandmother Stokes’ warming oven. She had two brothers, James and Stan, and a sister, Cleo, and was raised in Conrad. Riding horses and spending time with family were some of her favorite things. After graduating from high school in 1951, she traveled to California, where she worked for a hearing center and waited tables. She married LeeRoy Fuson in 1953, and together they had three children: Troy, Vicky, and Jamie. A profound tragedy in Mary Lu’s life was losing her only daughter, Vicky, at age 14, in a drowning accident at Lake Frances. This loss changed Mary Lu’s life forever.

 Mary Lu was a dependable lady, working many jobs around Conrad throughout her life—from waiting tables to working at the dry cleaners and the dime store. She worked many years and retired from her final job at the Pondera County Welfare Department. She enjoyed traveling, with some of her travels taking her to Missouri to meet her paternal grandparents and to Hawaii a few times with friends. Later in life, she married Bob Wentworth. After his death, she moved to Great Falls to be near her son, Troy. She volunteered at the Senior Center, where she was loved and admired and always greeted folks with a smile. She loved to read, bake, and spend time visiting with her many friends. Most of all, she loved her grandchildren, staying close to all of them, each one feeling like they were her favorite. Her faithful dog, Cocoa, passed away three years ago; his ashes will be laid to rest with her. Toby, her new dog, has gone to his new home with her cousin, Laura.

 Mary Lu carried her love for family and wonderful friends throughout her life’s journey, and she is already greatly missed by many. She is now with her Savior, free from pain and reunited with two of her children, hugging them tightly once again.

 Mary Lu was preceded in death by her children, Vicky and Troy; her parents and grandparents; both of her husbands; her sister Cleo (Richard) Llama; her brother Jim (Del) Gaines; numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces; and dear friends Charlie Miesmer and Erv Hudson, all of whom she missed dearly. Mary Lu is survived by her brother Stan Gaines (Jo Ann); son Jamie Fuson (Barbara Jo); Cindy Fuson; stepson Dave Wentworth; grandchildren Kari Anderson, Jeremy Fuson, Jesse Fuson (Becky), Colby Fuson (Christina), and Tanner Fuson (Sarah); great-grandchildren Kayla Mosaner (Roni), Brooke Fuson, Lilyann Anderson, Ryan Murray, Mesa Fuson, Ava Fuson, and Casey Fuson; and great-great-grandchildren Doni Mosner and Avalyn Mosner, as well as numerous cousins, nephews, and friends.

 Respecting Mary Lu’s wishes, no formal funeral service will be held. A graveside memorial will be planned for this spring to honor her life.