Anna Mae (Jerrel) Whitmus, 81 years old, passed away in the early morning hours of April 2nd at the McCone County Health Center after a long battle with cancer. She is now with her guardian angels. She was born at the old hospital in Miles City on September 20th, 1942, to Willis and Dorothy (Martelle) Jerrel. She was a wife, a mother, grandmother, and a long-time schoolteacher. She was the oldest of 5 children, Wilma, Bill, Bob, and Betty. Her childhood home was on a farm in Kinsey, MT, later moving into Miles City where her father worked as a well driller. She also spent part of one summer living in a sheep wagon north of Terry around Cherry Creek as her father worked building fence.
She began her education at the Kinsey Country School, after a 2-mile walk or 3-mile bus ride. When she missed the bus, she had to walk arriving at recess. So, she went to Miles City to finish 1st grade, living with her grandparents. When she was in 2nd grade, the family moved into town. She graduated 8th grade from Washington School, and high school from Custer County High School. During her high school years, she worked at the hospital and The Olive Hotel. She started college in Nampa, Idaho at Northwest Nazarene College, which began her educational journey through every college in MT. Wherever she lived and worked, she began teaching in country schools on emergency certificates. Her first school year was south of Miles City for 1 year, then north of Lewistown for 2 years, 2 years at Nickwall School in McCone County, and 2 years at the Cow Creek school in McCone County. That school building is at the McCone County Museum in Circle. Before she graduated from college, she fell in love and married Don Whitmus on May 25th, 1968, in Miles City. They made their home west of Wolf Point where Don rented the Terry Ranch/Farm for 3 years before they moved to Frazer, MT.
Their three sons, John, Jeff, and Justin were born while living in Frazer. Being a parent was more enticing than teaching. As times changed, after 3 children, she was hired at Frazer School to finish out the school year for a teacher who had quit. She taught a couple more years after that before going back to school to graduate from Eastern MT College. Then in 1980, they moved to Nickwall turn off in McCone County. After graduating, she taught at Southview School on Hwy 201 in McCone County for 2 years. In the following years, Anna Mae and Don welcomed their surprise daughter, Jerrelynn.
From Southview School, she went back to Frazer where she taught almost every grade level up to 6th and retired after 23 or more years. Upon retiring in 2008, she was asked to give the graduation address by one of her favorite classes, and her last class she taught made AYP(Annual Yearly Progress) that year for the first time ever, which was the highlight of her teaching career.
After retiring, she enjoyed traveling with Don all across the country visiting family, friends, and seeing the sights, and in 2010, they became official Snowbirds and moved to Tucson in the winters, making many long-lasting friendships.
Anna Mae was extremely talented with her passions for painting, crafting, quilting, antiquing, and cake decorating. She was especially proud and supportive of her 4 children and 7 grandchildren, Trinity, James, Quinn, Hunter, Tiara, Jordyn, and Walker, and their wrestling football, 4-H, and many other activities. Traveling many miles over a span of 40 some years to sit all day in a loud gymnasium to watch each of them wrestle for a few minutes. She also loved going to the Wild Horse Stampeded, seeing a lot of her old students and the parade every year.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Dorothy; daughter, Julie Ann; grandson, Quinn; brother-in-law, Chuck Randall; and nephews, Michael Watts, Chuckie Randall, and John Celander.
She is survived by her husband, Don; sons, John (Lisa) Hunter and Walker of Fairview, Jeff (Donna) Trinity and Tiara of Wolf Point, Justin (Stephanie) James and Jordyn of Shepherd; daughter, Jerrelynn (Josh) Mansfield of Wolf Point; sister, Wilma (Vern) Watts; brother, Bill (Ginger) Jerrel; brother, Bob Jerrel; sister, Betty Randall; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorials can be made to McCone County Health Center, or to one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday April 12, 2024
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer St.
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday April 13, 2024
First Lutheran Church
415 Johnson St.
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday April 12, 2024
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer St.
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday April 13, 2024
First Lutheran Church
415 Johnson St.
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
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Jim and Annalise Willson says
Don and Family so sorry to hear about Anna Mae. It has been a lot of years since you and my wife Annalise worked the pairing rooms together for AAU wrestling tournaments. We sure enjoyed those years as we made a lot of good friends. From 1974 to 1995 we would run into you and Anna Mae at a wrestling meet somewhere. My son Jess always looked forward to seeing your son Justin as they were good friends for years. Just want you to know we are thinking about you and your family. (Your Miles City wrestling connection) May Anna Mae REST IN PEACE.
Jim and Annalise Willson
Connie Brown says
John and family
Sorry for your families loss. Hold tight to your memories. Prayers and condolences.
Roberta Cauthron says
I am saddened to learn of Anna Mae’s passing. I first met her when she lived with her grandparents on Pleasant Street, next to my friend, Sharron Lee, and we liked Anna Mae right away–and that never changed, through grade school, junior high, high school, and even when she and I went to junior college together. Although time and distance got in the way of maintaining a connected friendship with her, Sharron and I have often fondly remembered her through the years. She spread a lot of sunshine and love in her life, and will be much missed by those who knew her.
My condolences to the family.