Mary E. Dutter
October 17, 1941 ~ February 8, 2024 (age 82) 82 Years Old
Tribute
In the early morning of Feb. 8, 2024, Mary’s earthly body could no longer endure. She was 82. What she lived for, hoped for, and believed in all her life came true … she met her Savior. Through faith in Jesus, Mary entered heaven to dwell in the love of God forever. In that moment Mary met all those she knew and loved that had gone before. Mary will be overjoyed to be reunited with her earthly love Ken in God’s kingdom.
Born Mary Elizabeth Miller in 1941 she met the love of her life Ken Dutter, and they married in 1959. Ever faithful, Ken and Mary stayed married for 45 years until Ken was called to his eternal home in 2005.
Mary had the heart of a servant. Working alongside Ken she would take on whatever life brought their way. So many times, Mary invited people to her home and would go to great lengths to make sure they were taken care of. Holidays, birthdays, or events with fellow churchgoers were done right and Mary worked hard at it with a smile of joy.
In the early '80s while Ken was helping guide in the Bob Marshall Mary found a business opportunity, Dairy Queen of Kalispell. With Mary’s work ethic and Ken’s keen business sense, they were off and running. They were a perfect team and made it a success.
Mary loved flowers and had a gift for making them grow beautifully. She loved to be outside. Even after losing the love of her life, she pressed on mowing with her favorite mower, a John Deere. Mary loved that tractor, the green and yellow suited her. Mary also loved music. Gospel, Bluegrass and most of the '50s were her favorites.
Mary played golf, traveled, loved horses, packing into the Bob Marshall and enjoyed attending Gospel quartet concerts with Ken. Ken and Mary also spent time ministering to those God called them to. Together, they spent time in Alaskan villages, Native American reservations and local church youth, spreading the Gospel through music in the Flathead, prison ministries and the Gideons. They gave to those who needed support and hope. St. Jude Children's Hospital was a heartfelt passion. Visiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital moved them to tears.
As it happens in life, Mary needed extra care in her last few years and moved into a number of assisted living facilities. This was especially hard for her. All she wanted to do was go home, plant flowers and be around those she loved. Later, decreasing cognitive ability took its toll. Even so, Mary was still a fighter and was determined to have her way.
Cherished are the times kneeling at her bedside, holding her cheek, saying her name, and telling her how much she was loved. It was a blessing to see her open her eyes, crack a little smile and try her best to say, “I love you too.”
Mary will be remembered by those close to her for the love she had in her heart. It was always there. A tribute to God’s promise to us. That love was passed on to her family, will be remembered, felt deeply and never go away.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Grover and Pauline Miller; brothers Jim and Bud Miller; and her lifelong best friend and husband Ken Dutter.
Mary is survived by son Randy and wife Ramona and their children Katie (Dutter) and Aaron Devries and their children Jason and Kinze; Luke Dutter (son to Randy and Ramona); Tim Dutter and wife Shelbey and their children Nate Dutter, Jake Dutter and wife Tiffanie and their children Ryliee, Hayes and Jacob Jr.; Bayleigh Dutter (daughter to Tim and Shelbey) Debbie (Dutter) Morton and husband Keith and their son Andy and wife Brittany and their children Emmett and Jasmine; also, many dear family members from Ohio.
Words are not adequate for what you meant to those you left behind. Many tears have and will be shed. Tears of sorrow. Tears of joy. Joy for the love you gave that lives on. Joy because you completed your journey and dwell in the house of the Lord forever. You will never be alone. In His love forever.
For those who want to remember Mary, there will be a viewing at Johnson-Gloschat funeral home Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Psalm 136:3 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever”.
Born Mary Elizabeth Miller in 1941 she met the love of her life Ken Dutter, and they married in 1959. Ever faithful, Ken and Mary stayed married for 45 years until Ken was called to his eternal home in 2005.
Mary had the heart of a servant. Working alongside Ken she would take on whatever life brought their way. So many times, Mary invited people to her home and would go to great lengths to make sure they were taken care of. Holidays, birthdays, or events with fellow churchgoers were done right and Mary worked hard at it with a smile of joy.
In the early '80s while Ken was helping guide in the Bob Marshall Mary found a business opportunity, Dairy Queen of Kalispell. With Mary’s work ethic and Ken’s keen business sense, they were off and running. They were a perfect team and made it a success.
Mary loved flowers and had a gift for making them grow beautifully. She loved to be outside. Even after losing the love of her life, she pressed on mowing with her favorite mower, a John Deere. Mary loved that tractor, the green and yellow suited her. Mary also loved music. Gospel, Bluegrass and most of the '50s were her favorites.
Mary played golf, traveled, loved horses, packing into the Bob Marshall and enjoyed attending Gospel quartet concerts with Ken. Ken and Mary also spent time ministering to those God called them to. Together, they spent time in Alaskan villages, Native American reservations and local church youth, spreading the Gospel through music in the Flathead, prison ministries and the Gideons. They gave to those who needed support and hope. St. Jude Children's Hospital was a heartfelt passion. Visiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital moved them to tears.
As it happens in life, Mary needed extra care in her last few years and moved into a number of assisted living facilities. This was especially hard for her. All she wanted to do was go home, plant flowers and be around those she loved. Later, decreasing cognitive ability took its toll. Even so, Mary was still a fighter and was determined to have her way.
Cherished are the times kneeling at her bedside, holding her cheek, saying her name, and telling her how much she was loved. It was a blessing to see her open her eyes, crack a little smile and try her best to say, “I love you too.”
Mary will be remembered by those close to her for the love she had in her heart. It was always there. A tribute to God’s promise to us. That love was passed on to her family, will be remembered, felt deeply and never go away.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Grover and Pauline Miller; brothers Jim and Bud Miller; and her lifelong best friend and husband Ken Dutter.
Mary is survived by son Randy and wife Ramona and their children Katie (Dutter) and Aaron Devries and their children Jason and Kinze; Luke Dutter (son to Randy and Ramona); Tim Dutter and wife Shelbey and their children Nate Dutter, Jake Dutter and wife Tiffanie and their children Ryliee, Hayes and Jacob Jr.; Bayleigh Dutter (daughter to Tim and Shelbey) Debbie (Dutter) Morton and husband Keith and their son Andy and wife Brittany and their children Emmett and Jasmine; also, many dear family members from Ohio.
Words are not adequate for what you meant to those you left behind. Many tears have and will be shed. Tears of sorrow. Tears of joy. Joy for the love you gave that lives on. Joy because you completed your journey and dwell in the house of the Lord forever. You will never be alone. In His love forever.
For those who want to remember Mary, there will be a viewing at Johnson-Gloschat funeral home Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Psalm 136:3 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever”.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary E. Dutter, please visit our floral store.
© 2024 Johnson - Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory. All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy