Marian Willson

Visitation: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 with the family to receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral Service: Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 2:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Interment: Custer County Cemetery.

MarianLynell (Combs) Willson, age 87, passed away on Monday, March 19, 2007 at her home in Miles City.

Marian was born in Miles City, Montana on September 28, 1919, the daughter of William and Edith (Mann) Combs. She attended school in Terry until 1930, when she moved with her family to the ranch at Stacey, Montana where she went to North Stacey school. She attended her first year of high school in Broadus. When her father died, the family leased the ranch and moved to Miles City where Marian completed her schooling, graduating from CCHS in 1936. She then attended Western Montana College where she received her Teaching Certificate in 1938. Following her schooling, she returned to Eastern Montana where she taught in country schools, until she married Leon (Pat) Willson on October 25, 1942 at Miles City, Montana. She followed Pat wherever he was stationed throughout the war, returning to the family ranch near Volborg when he was discharged. She was an active partner in their commercial cow-calf operation and taught in nearby schools from time to time. In 1994 they retired to Miles City where Marian resided until the time of her death.

Marian was a 4-H Leader and member of the Homemakers Club. She held a state office in the Farm Bureau. After moving to Miles City, she volunteered at Highland Park School, Holy Rosary Health Center and was an election judge. She and her husband loved to travel, visiting many parts of the world.

Marian is survived by a son, Preston (Sheri)Willson of Volborg, MT; two daughters: Catharine (Wayne) Gamrath of Miles City, MT; Marnee (Don) Willson-Broyles of Eau Claire, WI; a brother, Robert (Julia) Combs of Albuquerque, NM; a sister, Norma Howard of Miles City, MT; six grandchildren: Gwen (Kent)Gunther, Chris (Trish) Gamrath, Rachel Willson-Broyles, Nathan (fiance LauraWeishoff) Willson-Broyles, Terra Willson and Valerie Willson; and six great grandchildren: Anna, Tiffany, Chase, Jarrett,Kaleigh and Gage.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: William Combs and Earl Combs, and her husband Leon in 1996.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.