Mary E. Cridland, 80 of Miles City, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2016 at Holy Rosary Health Care. With her family by her side, Mary went to meet her Lord and Savior.
Mary was born in Ekalaka, MT on October 13, 1935 to Lawrence and Laura (Pierce) Webster. Mary attended elementary school in Ekalaka, MT before moving to Miles City and attending Custer County District High School. On December 29, 1950, At the age of 15, Mary married Clarence Cridland, who was 17. To this union, a son, Gary, and a daughter, Nettie were born.
Mary kept books for Uptown Conoco, Cridland Steel, and Cridland Overhead Door, all businesses that Clarence and Mary owned over the years. Clarence also played guitar and sang in a country band, which Mary always enjoyed listening and dancing to.
Mary loved being a Grandma. Once her granddaughters came along, she and Clarence would pick them up every Wednesday night and take them to their home for pizza and pudding. The girls also enjoyed countless sleepovers at Grandma’s. Mary was always one of their biggest fans and a constant encourager. One of her favorite things in the world was to have the grandkids out to sled on her sledding hill. Many times she would jump on the sled and go down the hill with them. Later, she would head into the house to make hot chocolate to warm everyone up.
Mary loved to cook and spend lots of time cooking with her grandchildren. She was famous for her carrot cake! She almost always had a carrot cake on standby in the freezer, ready to frost, for whoever needed it. She often took them to gatherings with her family and friends, or donated them to the church for funerals. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners will also never be the same without grandma’s delicious ‘sweet taters.’
Mary was an avid bowler and bowled at both the state and national levels. She cherished the many friendships she gained and maintained over her years of league bowling at Recreation Lanes, and was a proud inductee of the Recreation Lanes Bowlers’ Hall of Fame. Mary also enjoyed many outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and snowmobiling. She was an avid crocheter, crocheting five beautiful framed Lord’s Prayer displays for her family, in addition to many other crochet projects.
Mary and Clarence enjoyed teasing each other about being from ‘Camp Crook’ or ‘Ekalaka’, even though only a handful of miles (and a state boundary) separated the two. Mary loved riding along with Clarence when they would take road trips for Stevenson and Sons Funeral Homes. Mary was Clarence’s constant companion, day or night, throughout the 65 years of their incredible marriage. Her bright smile lightened every room she ever entered, and may be missed most of all by those who knew and loved her.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Laura Webster; her brother, Larry Webster; and two sisters, Rose Hale and Rena Childers.
Survivors include her loving husband of 65 years, Clarence; a daughter, Nettie (Jay) Honstain; a son, Gary (Bernadette) Cridland; and a sister, Chic Reser of Worden, MT. Grandchildren Tanneil (Ricky) Kuchynka and Raelee (John) Hollowell. Mary was also very close with her eight great-grandchildren, Kaden, Claire, and Connor Kuchynka as well as Tallee, Pierce, Jacques, Brinlee, and Madilee Hollowell.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 from 4 to 6 pm at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 11 am at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends or family desire donations are being accepted in Mary’s name at the Pregnancy Outreach Clinic of Miles City or donate to the local charity of their choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 12, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, MT
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 13, 2016
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower Street
Miles City, MT
Interment
Following Services
Wednesday January 13, 2016
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, MT
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 12, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Sreet
Miles City, MT
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 13, 2016
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower Street
Miles City, MT
Interment
Following Services
Wednesday January 13, 2016
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, MT
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Maureen Larson says
Dear Mary’s Family,
My deepest sympathy to all in your recent loss of a beautiful woman. I know you all have many sweet memories that you will hold dear in your hearts and may they bring some comfort during this difficult time. May God bless each and every one of you! You are all in my prayers.
Denise and Jay Harvey says
We send our prayers for your comfort with cherished memories.
Jay and Denise Harvey
Keith and Cheryl Fuhrman says
Mom just called and let me know of the loss of Mary. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you as you go through is time of mourning. Mom has so many good memories of the times fishing and bowling with you. Cherish the memories.
Karen Moutrey Gunther says
I so remember Mary when I was a little girl, so was always so sweet when we sopped while in town. Prayers and thoughts are with all of Mary Family. I have not seen Mary in so many years.
Iona Cridland says
Though, I haven’t seen Mary in years, I did know her as a young Mama and she and Clarence grew up with my late husband, Russ Cridland. My prayers and blessings to all of the family on your loss.
Rob & Jan Warn says
Praying for your wonderful memories to always comfort you during the coming years. She’s now an angel to watch over her family ?????
Christa Harvey Schoenfeld says
Dear Cridlands,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you! She left a great legacy in your families!
Christa Harvey Schoenfeld
Tiffany Feisthamel says
I’m so sorry for your loss of Mary. I haven’t seen her in years but I really enjoyed bowling with her years ago. My thoughts are with you.
Sally Ziebarth Selle says
Clarence, Gary, Nettie and family
So sorry for your loss, I sat next to her at the Grandparents Day at Highland. Had a wonderful conversation with her. And she said she was doing so well then, sending hugs to all of you! She will be missed by all who knew her!
jeanne Green says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time of loss. Will miss her smiles.
Jeanne Vetch says
Clarence, I am so sorry. Mary was such asweet kind woman. She will be missed by so many people.
Dotty Cauthron Watts says
I remember Mary from high school..she was a sweet gal then, too. Looks like she had a wonderful, full life. Cherish your memories!
Sincerely, Dotty Cauthron Watts
Deb (Moths) Schmeling says
Dear Cridland Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with each one of you. May God wrap His loving arms around you with His comfort and peace. Remember all the good times you have had. Hugs Deb
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill & Proxy says
We weren’t thru visiting Mary. Liked her so much and agree with everybody about her contagious smile. It’s time like this that wish we lived in MC so we could have seen Mary during her last months, weeks, and days.
Ray and Terri Schmidt says
We are so, so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts during this difficult time and please know that Mary will be missed by so many. She was such a special person with a beautiful smile and she touched so many lives.
Ron and Marilyn Frize says
To all of Mary’s wonderful family, may you find comfort with your many memories. Mary was a great lady who touched so many lives. Prayers of comfort to you all.
Nick & Betty Clauson says
Clarence and family, so sorry about Mary’s death, she’ll be missed by many.
Jerry and Peggy Stanley says
Deepest Sympathies. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Pam & Karl Rogge says
Prayers and condolences to Mary’s family. May your many good memories give you comfort at this time.
Stan & Sharon Clelland says
Prayers to all of you. Mary was such a great lady and she always had a smile every time we saw her. She was such a special lady and close with family. Anyone that knew Mary loved her. Just visited with her not long ago and she was so cheery. Hang onto those cherished memories and I am sure you had plenty of them of them about and with her. She always talked about her kids and grandkids. God Bless all of you. Sharon and Stan
Virginia & Duane Strohmayer says
Clare and Family:
We are going to miss Mary’s well done steak and playing cards. She will be missed by many.
Dorothy and Benny Padden says
Dear Clarence & Family:
You are in our thoughts and prayers. It will leave an empty space in the community and in your family. But memories of happy times will always be remembered. I would hope some of the grand-kids would inherit her enthusiasm for life’s everyday tasks. She touched a lot of peoples lives in special ways. Love and prayers
Irene,Vern and Rene&Family says
Our deepest sympathy for your loss, Always enjoyed Mary and Clarence bowl they were the best. Mary was a lovely lady. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Audrey and Nicholas Stanislawek says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nettie and all the family at the great loss in their lives, of Mary. She was a beautiful woman in many ways. Nettie always spoke of her mom with great
pride and much love. May our Lord help all the family deal with this great loss.
Keith & Nettie Wittenhagen says
Keith and Nettie Wittenhagen
Our heart and prayers are with you. Great memories.