Maryann Elizabeth Suckow (Sires)

Maryann Elizabeth (Sires) Suckow, 78, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2013 in Missoula MT.

Maryann was born October 12, 1934 in Yakima WA to William and Mary Sires. She was 1 of 9 children and the oldest daughter.

She grew up with her family in Union Gap, WA and as a young girl loved to be outdoors climbing trees, challenging her brothers and scaring her father by getting on the roof of his honey house next to the big walnut tree in their yard. She also was proud of helping her Dad during the peak season of honey extraction, sealing and labeling honey cans for a nickel a can. She took many years of piano lessons starting at age 6 and played piano at the Union Gap Nazarene church for many services and functions. As a teenager Maryann loved to ice and roller skate, and go on double dates with her sister Janet. She was known as quite a hairdresser and gave many perms and styles for her aunties, mother and sisters. She was a great help to her Mother in the house and spent many hours starching and ironing white shirts for her favorite minister and uncle, Dee. She was delighted when her youngest sister Gail was born and helped care for her siblings, nieces and nephews. In addition Maryann enjoyed a part time after school job at a Yakima dress shop.

In 1951 she met Bert Suckow while wintering in Mesa, Arizona with her family. After graduation from Yakima High School she married Bert, the love of her life on June 7, 1952 and moved to Montana to start their life together. Together, they raised their four children.

Mom was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She maintained a welcoming home, yard and huge garden while raising four children and helping Bert in their logging business. She was a wonderful cook, baker and preserved much of her garden and fruits so that her family could have wholesome meals year round. No challenge was too much for Maryann as she was adept at household and electrical repair, irrigation, roto tilling, bookkeeping, running truck parts, camping, boating, entertaining and even from time to time helping Bert with maintaining his logging truck.

She also was a Cub Scout den mother, room mother, PTA officer and cookie maker. Her home was a gathering place for her children and their friends and was often the hub of family reunions, barbeques, and fun. Most of all she cared deeply for her family and friends and was known for her wisdom and willingness to lend an ear and a helping hand. She was an integral part in the lives of her grandchildren and also enjoyed their many activities, such as baseball, soccer, swimming matches, and Special Olympics.

Her personal interests included: reading, playing the piano, singing in the church choir, and travel. She and Bert spent many winters traveling by RV to warmer climates, visiting family and friends along the way and they also enjoyed a trip to Branson Missouri from their children in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. In later years she enjoyed traveling to Helena and spending time with her daughter and son in law and she finally was able to fulfill her dream of seeing Hawaii when she traveled to the Big Island for her grandson's wedding.

Maryann is survivived by her children Richard Suckow (Ellen), William Suckow (Linda), Leann Gooley (Denny), and Susan Suter (Curtis). Grandchildren: Matthew Gooley, Michael (Leah) Gooley, Marcy (Andrew) Martin, Taylor Suckow, Tara (John) Verville, Jillian (Chris) Horner and six great grandchildren.

Maryann was preceded in death by her husband Bert, parents, four brothers and one sister.

Viewing will be from 12 Noon until 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Service at 1:00 pm also at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with Burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Memorials in Maryann's name may be made to Special Olympics of Montana, PO Box 3507, Great Falls, MT 59403 or Alzheimer's Association of Montana, 3010 11th Ave. North, Billings, MT 59101



Read Maryann Suckow's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.