Mary Rathman

Mary Flinn Rathman, 96, died peacefully in her home at the Choteau BeeHive on Friday, August 22, with her husband and daughter by her side.

Mary Alice Flinn was born in Helena on November 7, 1928 to Kathryn Meagher Flinn and Dr. James M. Flinn, the second of five children. She grew up in Helena and attended St. Ann's School through 8th grade and then Cathedral High School. She studied piano for many years and at 16 gave a solo piano recital at the Placer Hotel. She enjoyed playing the piano throughout her life.

Mary spent her first year of college in California at the San Francisco College for Women on the Lone Mountain campus; she then returned to Helena where she obtained a degree as a Registered Nurse through the Sisters Of Charity School of Nursing at St. Patrick Hospital; after that she went to Saint Louis University, where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Nursing Education. Returning to Montana, Mary worked as a nurse first at Fort Harrison in Helena and then at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Later in her career she worked as a nurse at the Teton County Nursing Home in Choteau for 14 years.

Mary married Stanley Floyd Rathman on June 14, 1952 at the Helena Cathedral. They started their married life in Missoula, where their first two children were born. Stan and Mary moved to Choteau in 1956, where they welcomed seven more children to the family. They initially planned to stay in Choteau for a few years, but found they loved living in a small town and were happy to be part of the community for the past 69 years.

Mary was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and particularly enjoyed serving as a Eucharistic Minister to homebound parishioners. After retiring from nursing, she was a hospice volunteer for many years, and with Stan she spent many hours as a volunteer with the Teton County Food Pantry. They also hosted an AFS Student from Brazil for the 1968-69 school year.

Mary was preceded in death by her siblings and one daughter, Kathleen Thronson (Mike). She is survived by her husband, Stan Rathman of Choteau, eight children, Susan Zaremba (Andy), James Rathman (Chihae), David Rathman (Dani), Mary France, Amy Osler (Shawn), Daniel Rathman, Taya Flinn, and Michelle Rathman (Rodrigue), and 13 grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A funeral will be held in Choteau in about 2 months. Frontier Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memorials are suggested to Teton County Food Pantry or Neighbors Helping Neighbors.