Delores Maetche

On Nov. 26, 2010, Delores Maetche passed away peacefully at her home with her children around her.

Delores Eileen Hobbs was born in Chinook Mont., on July 27, 1931, to Alfred D. and Ida O. Hobbs.

She was raised in Chinook and graduated from high school in 1949. Much of her young life was spent with her father delivering freight, helping on the farm and learning whatever else he wanted to teach her. She had many fond childhood memories of playing with her sister Dayle and nieces Javae and Janice Strain. On Dec. 31, 1951, she married Marvin A. Maetche at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook. To this union, three children were born, Marvin D., Carol, and Connie. Delores spent her adult life as a devoted wife and mother, and friend to many.

She was always there whenever anyone needed her, child or adult. Delores cared for her father-in-law, Jake Maetche, until his death in 1963. After that, she helped nieces and nephews and grandchildren with homework and lessons of life. She was a very active member of the American Lutheran Church, where she was a member of the choir, taught Sunday school, Bible school, served on the church council and as an officer of the ALCW. After her husband, Marvin, passed away on May 15, 1988, she also worked as a grocery clerk in Chinook, where her younger co-workers claimed they had trouble keeping up with her. She was known to her grandchildren as their "teenage" Gramma because of her abundant energy and love of life.

She left a legacy of unconditional, self-sacrificing love that enriched the lives of all who knew her. That love is carried on in her family and will be in their hearts forever.

Delores was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin A. Maetche; her parents; sisters, Ina Strain and Lois Coyner.

Survivors include her children, Carol Maetche of Havre, Marvin D. "Marty" Maetche and Connie (Jess) Murphy of Chinook, a sister, Dayle Mundy; and brother-in-lawm Allen of Moscow, Idaho; seven grandchildren, Jake (Lexi) Maetche of Peck, Idaho, Kenneth (Rose) Maetche of Fairfield, Mont., Kaylub Maetche of Harlem, Nick Maetche of Chinook, Amanda (Jeff) Jackson of Helena; and Adam Murphy, Crystal (Eric) Stepper of Chinook; five great-grandchildren, Dayna and Lyla Maetche of Peck, Idaho, Christopher and Kaly Maetche of Chinook, Tyler Stepper of Chinook and Danica Jackson of Helena, to be born in February.

She will also be missed by numerous nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. She was also an adopted Gramma to many.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, Dec. 3, at 2 p. m., at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook, with burial in the Kuper Memorial Cemetery.

Edwards Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family suggests memorials to either the Gift of Life Housing 2800 11th Ave S # 23, Great Falls, MT 59405, or the American Lutheran Church in Chinook.

On Nov. 26, 2010, Delores Maetche passed away peacefully at her home with her children around her.

Delores Eileen Hobbs was born in Chinook Mont., on July 27, 1931, to Alfred D. and Ida O. Hobbs.

She was raised in Chinook and graduated from high school in 1949. Much of her young life was spent with her father delivering freight, helping on the farm and learning whatever else he wanted to teach her. She had many fond childhood memories of playing with her sister Dayle and nieces Javae and Janice Strain. On Dec. 31, 1951, she married Marvin A. Maetche at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook. To this union, three children were born, Marvin D., Carol, and Connie. Delores spent her adult life as a devoted wife and mother, and friend to many.

She was always there whenever anyone needed her, child or adult. Delores cared for her father-in-law, Jake Maetche, until his death in 1963. After that, she helped nieces and nephews and grandchildren with homework and lessons of life. She was a very active member of the American Lutheran Church, where she was a member of the choir, taught Sunday school, Bible school, served on the church council and as an officer of the ALCW. After her husband, Marvin, passed away on May 15, 1988, she also worked as a grocery clerk in Chinook, where her younger co-workers claimed they had trouble keeping up with her. She was known to her grandchildren as their "teenage" Gramma because of her abundant energy and love of life.

She left a legacy of unconditional, self-sacrificing love that enriched the lives of all who knew her. That love is carried on in her family and will be in their hearts forever.

Delores was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin A. Maetche; her parents; sisters, Ina Strain and Lois Coyner.

Survivors include her children, Carol Maetche of Havre, Marvin D. "Marty" Maetche and Connie (Jess) Murphy of Chinook, a sister, Dayle Mundy; and brother-in-lawm Allen of Moscow, Idaho; seven grandchildren, Jake (Lexi) Maetche of Peck, Idaho, Kenneth (Rose) Maetche of Fairfield, Mont., Kaylub Maetche of Harlem, Nick Maetche of Chinook, Amanda (Jeff) Jackson of Helena; and Adam Murphy, Crystal (Eric) Stepper of Chinook; five great-grandchildren, Dayna and Lyla Maetche of Peck, Idaho, Christopher and Kaly Maetche of Chinook, Tyler Stepper of Chinook and Danica Jackson of Helena, to be born in February.

She will also be missed by numerous nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. She was also an adopted Gramma to many.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, Dec. 3, at 2 p. m., at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook, with burial in the Kuper Memorial Cemetery.

Edwards Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family suggests memorials to either the Gift of Life Housing 2800 11th Ave S # 23, Great Falls, MT 59405, or the American Lutheran Church in Chinook.