Mary Embleton Briese (94) passed away on July 19, 2016. Mary was born in Fort Benton, MT to Gilbert and Sadie (Birmingham) Embleton on August 25, 1921. She was raised with her sisters Dorothy and Franny and her brother Bill at the Green Roof, the family homestead 5 miles north of Fort Benton on the Teton River. She was the daughter of a hard working rancher/roundup boss and a Milner (hat maker). Mary loved to share her memories of growing up on the family homestead where Sunday dinners always consisted of fried chicken, homemade ice cream and lots of company.
Mary attended elementary and high school in Fort Benton where she graduated in 1939 with honors as part of the 25th graduating class. After graduation Mary travelled to Bozeman where she attended Montana State College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics with a minor in English in 1945. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority, Home Economics Club and the Phi Upsilon Omicron (national home economics honorary society). After graduation, Mary taught Home Economics and English in Havre for one year and later substitute taught in Fort Benton.
Mary met Herbert E. Briese and they were married at the Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Benton on August 18, 1946. The details of how they met and their courtship are unclear but Mary once told someone they were secretly engaged for a year. Herbert and Mary purchased part of the homestead north of Loma from Herb’s family after their marriage where they moved into an old homestead house that had been used as a granary. They raised 4 sons and 2 daughters on that small dryland grain operation.
Mary was known as a great cook that could make anything out of nothing. Her world famous eggs, chocolate chip cookies and Green Roof cake were just a few of her specialties. She and Herbert were very frugal as they remembered the Great Depression and worked hard to provide for their family. Mary was known to save and reuse Ziplock bags until they made better strainers than bags.
You never saw Mary without a smile on her face; she had a lot of reasons to smile. She was very proud and supportive of her children, encouraging all of them to go to college right after high school instead of taking a year off. She kept remarkable track of her 13 grandchildren, always knowing where they were, what they were doing and proudly telling stories of their accomplishments.
Mary is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years Herbert, her children Clinton (Linda) Briese, Darrel (Shirley) Briese, Debi (John) Grass, Kim Briese, Deena (Dave Manix) Briese and EJ (Ana Burrougs) Briese. Grandchildren Lex Briese, Danny Briese, Farrah McGregor, Kyle Grass, Justus Wendland, Keyla Briese, Levi Briese, Erika Han, Beau Briese, Adam Briese, Nick Briese, Sierra Briese and Dallas Briese. Mary also has 6 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren that would light up her eyes!
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Dorothy Gallup and Francis Baack and brother Bill Embleton.
Mary’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Brenda Price and Naldean Nash for the wonderful care they provided Mary during her time at the Sunrise Bluff Estates.
Funeral services for Mary were held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fort Benton on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 11 am. Graveside services followed the service and a remembrance luncheon was hosted in the basement of the Catholic Church. Please visit Mary’s online memorial page to leave a message of condolence for the family at http://www.hollandbonine.com. Benton Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.
Memorials can be made in Mary’s name to the Sunrise Bluff Estates, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fort Benton or the charity of your choice.
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