Ann Pauline Pederson Holton Moutrey Carroll, 93, passed away of natural causes February 19, 2018 at the Powder River Manor, Broadus Montana, with her daughter at her side.
Ann was born on January 24, 1925 in Jordan, Montana. She was the second youngest of five children born to parents, Peder & Hannah (Larson) Pederson. Ann’s mother died in 1928 of childbirth. Times were very hard and a year later the children were split apart. The three oldest siblings were sent to the orphanage while Ann & baby sister, Ruth, were taken in by local families. Ann was raised by Albert & Bertha Holton. Ann’s father, Peder, died in 1931 of what many claimed to be, a broken heart. Ann spoke many times of how blessed she was to have been raised and been a part of the Holton family.
Ann attended school in Cohagen, MT and had some home schooling until 8th grade. The family moved often, Ann graduated from Huntley Project High School in Worden, MT in 1943. After graduating Ann had many jobs until she attended telegrapher school for the Milwaukee Railroad. She worked at Haugen, East Portal and Lombard stations in Montana.
It was while working in Lombard Ann met her first husband, Merle Moutrey. They married in 1946 and welcomed their first child, Karen, in 1947 and their son, Jim, in 1949. Merle & Ann moved to Phillipsburg in 1950, and two years later moved to Powder River County where they worked on the Randall Ranch. Ann lived in twenty different places by the time she was thirty years old, she was happy to finally be settled.
In 1958 Merle died suddenly of an aneurysm. Finding herself alone with two young children to raise, Ann joined the workforce. She worked several jobs until settling in for the next twenty-two years in the Powder River County Treasurer’s office. She truly enjoyed the work & serving the people of Powder River County.
The next winter a friend introduced Ann to a shy, handsome cowboy, Robert Carroll. Bob rode through a terrible blizzard to take her to the Valentine Sweetheart’s Dance, and was snowed in Broadus for a week. Ann loved to say, “That week I courted Bob until he caught me!” Bob was always quick to add, “She sealed the deal with her pecan pie!” On March 29, 1959 they were married and spent the next fifty-four years as proof that soul mates do exist. Ann was blessed with in-laws, Carl “Slim” & Lucille Fransden, who loved Ann & her children as their own. Many happy days were spent out at their ranch by all the family in the years to come.
Ann was fiercely proud of her family and supported them in all their endeavors. This included friends of her children or anyone that she “adopted” as her own. Karen’s children were lucky to have their grandmother so close. Each of them have fond memories of Friday night’s spent at Grandma Ann’s where they would get to pick their favorite supper or going to visit her at the courthouse where they’d no doubt be given change for a bottle of pop. She logged many road miles & bleacher hours for her grand-kids and later her great-grandkids. She was “Grandma Ann” to many children in Broadus; she loved spending time with the little ones at Karen’s daycare.
Ann’s son Jim was stationed in the Philippines for the U.S. Air Force. In 1980 she traveled there on her own to meet her new daughter-in-law and grandson. She spent two months with them, experiencing the life of a military family and off the base, explored the Filipino culture with Lourdes. Most memorable was the Thanksgiving dinner she prepared for her family as well as five of Jim’s coworkers and spouses. Never had she cooked for a more appreciative audience! Ann was happy to have Jim & family move closer when he received his last USAF assignment in Colorado Springs in 1983. This was the beginning of many annual trips back and forth by the families. Johnny rarely missed a trip to visit his beloved grandparents.
Ann enjoyed many past-times. She & Bob traveled all over the country and enjoyed four cruises. She loved to garden, create needlework, was a voracious reader, and an excellent cook. Her Swedish Rye bread was a treat that her entire family & many in the community enjoyed. She was active within & supportive of the Broadus community. She was a member of the Broadus Homemaker’s Club, an instrumental part of starting & maintaining the Powder River Historical Museum, volunteered as the Foods Superintendent for the Powder River County Fair for many years and was a longtime member of the Powder River Congregational Church.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husbands Merle & Robert, son-in-law Kenneth Gunther, and great grandson, Marcello Gennuso.
Ann is survived by her children, Karen Gunther of Broadus, and son Jim (Lourdes) Moutrey of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Grandchildren, Kevin (Denise) Gunther of Henderson, NV; Kent (Gwen) Gunther of Miles City, MT; Karla (Kathy Davis) Gunther of Las Vegas, NV; Bobby Moutrey & Johnny Moutrey both of Colorado Springs, CO as well as seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Ann is also survived by many special nieces & nephews.
Services for Ann will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus, MT. If one wishes to send a memorial, the family asks that they be given to the Powder River Congregational Church specifically for the purchase of pew cushions or to the Henry A. Malley Memorial Library in Broadus. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday March 23, 2018
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
101 East Wilson
Broadus, MT 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday March 24, 2018
Powder River Congregational Church
309 West Wilson
Broadus, MT 59317
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday March 23, 2018
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
101 East Wilson
Broadus, MT 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday March 24, 2018
Powder River Congregational Church
309 West Wilson
Broadus, MT 59317
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carol schneidt says
Karen, Jim and families! My thoughts and prayers are with you! Having had Ann for a neighbor, boss and co-worker, I always liked and admired her. She was a wonderful woman!
Pam (Moths) Nisley says
Oh Karen, I have been praying for you and your mom all day, and just learned this~ it is so hard to let them go, and yet we pray His peace surround you and hold you and all of your dear mothers’ loved ones now! One memory I have is her ability to have so many prize winning entries in the local fair 🙂 Each one well deserved!!! She was a wonderful model in many ways of what this world needs more of 🙂 Blessing to all of you
Vonnie Shannon says
Karen, sending my sympathy.
Vonnie Shannon
Roberta Morgan Rickman says
Karen & Jim, I am so sorry. Your mom was a really nice lady and loved by many of us. Hugs.
Jackie Schneidt says
Karen and family,we are so for your loss. She had a good life. Such a nice lady. Again our condolences.
Jackie and Joe Schneidt
Jacqueline Van Gundy says
I was saddened to learn about Ann’s passing. Karen. Jim, my prayers and thoughts are with you.
Cali Baker says
Karen,
I was so sorry to see the loss of “Grandma Ann”. She was so fun to be around as a kid, and I will never forget her gorgeous flowers especially the gladiolys(sp). May you find comfort in the knowledge that she left her wonderful traits in her family legacy.
Julie Emmons says
Condolences to you Karen and family. Cherish all the wonderful memories you have and God Bless you……
Nancy and Bert Stoddard says
Karen, your Mom was such a warm and friendly person. When we moved to Broadus, she was so kind to a new person to the town. She steered me through the early days of three children with chicken pox and no washer and dryer. She was always so full of answers to all my questions. We will all miss her. Our prayers are with you.
Lance Clark says
Karen and Family,
The Clark families remember your Mother.
Our thoughts and prayers to you.
Darlene Clark, Miles City
Lance Clark, Portland
Brent Clark, Volborg
Scott & Mary Clark, Billings
Mike & Tammy Pecha, Volborg
Brad and Carmen Knutson says
Karen and Family, we were sad to hear the news of Ann’s passing. We know she is with the Lord now. Remember all your happy times and cherish them. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Hugs!
Jane & Les Thompson says
Karen and Jim, Sorry to hear of Ann’s passing. I Remember Slim and Lucille’s picnics and all the good times back then. Probably the first time I met your Mom. May she rest in Peace for she is Home now. Find solace in all your good memories.
Aletta Shannon says
Karen and family~
You’re all in our thoughts and prayers. Ann was a dear sweet lady and will be missed. I won’t forget the wonderful bread she baked and brought to the office as thanks for helping her and the wonderful photo she left with me of ice hanging off the Courthouse in the 80’s. She will be remembered! Heaven gained another Angel~ Rest in peace Ann!
Bonnie Powell says
Jim, Karen and families. Sympathy for the loss of your Mom, Grandmom. Enjoyed our many visits. No more pain for her. Bless you all.
SALLY A. BORLA says
KAREN, JIM AND YOUR FAMILIES: SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DEAR SWEET MOM; SHE WAS ALWAYS SO HAPPY WHEN YOU TOOK TIME TO VISIT WITH HER AND GIVE HER A HUG-I MUST TELL YOU THAT AROUND HER BIRTHDAY ONE YEAR SOMEONE MENTIONED THE WORD “OLD” AND SHE TOLD ME SHE HATED THE WORD OLD. I AGREED WITH HER AND LAUGHED MANY TIMES LIKE YESTERDAY WHEN I HEARD THE WORD OLD A FEW TIMES I THOUGHT OF ANN. SHE IS A SHINING STAR IN THE HEAVENS NOW AND WITH GOD. THINKING OF ALL OF YOU.
Bob Brooks says
A Lovely lady, nice to everyone, efficient and always up to date. My best to her family.
Rhonda A Traub says
So sorry for the loss of your Mother Karen, Jim and family’s. I remember when we would get together out at Slim and Lucille’s, some fun times. Your Dad and Mom were friends with my parents also, so we always enjoyed getting together. May God be with you at this time and give you strength and peace. Prayers and Blessings.
Dora Meidinger-Huckins says
Thinking of you and family during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing Grandma Ann with my children in their growing years! She was a dear one. And now we have a Special Angel looking down on us in times of happiness and times of need with God’s blessings…Hugs.
Mike Mangen says
So sorry for your loss, she was such a nice lady. I have fond memories of her and Bob.
Bill and Jacob Janssen says
Karen, Jim and the entire family. Sending my sympathy at losing Gramma Ann. As Kent said she was at almost everyone of our sporting events cheering us on. Rejoice in her memory.