Beverly Lorraine Grass, 92, passed away due to natural causes at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, MT on Thursday, September 23, 2021. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will be held when all of her family are able to gather together.
Beverly was born on February 11, 1929, to Earl Wendell (Shang) and Mary Howser Winter in Havre, MT. Beverly grew up in Kremlin, MT attending elementary school and high school there, graduating in 1947.
Beverly met Lionell Grass and they were married on June 15, 1947, in Kremlin, MT. They moved to the family farm outside of Box Elder, MT where they raised their two sons Terry and John and daughter Vickie along with cattle, chickens, and grain. Beverly shared her love of cooking and baking with her family and community. She prepared harvest meals for the field with the help of her daughters-in-law Colleen and Debi, loading coolers for lunch and the camper for dinner each day to make sure the crew had a homemade meal to keep them going. Beverly raised chickens for eggs and eating. She delivered eggs to many, and she and her friends gathered in the summer to butcher chickens to help feed their families.
Church was important to Beverly; she was active in the Faith Lutheran Church in Box Elder until it was moved to Billings, MT where it became the Little White Church. She later became active in the Faith Bible Church in Fort Benton where she gained a new community of faith.
Beverly loved the holidays and large family gatherings in her home. She made oyster casserole, sandbakkels, Christmas pudding, rosettes, and amazing cookies to carry on family traditions and taught her kids and grandchildren to make these special treats. She also delivered tea rings to each family as a special treat every Christmas. She was well known for her baking skills and took orders from community members; her baked goods were the highlight of Virgelle's Country Christmas for many years. Thousands of Bev's buns were made each year for sandwiches in the fields, company field days, treats on team buses, family reunions and many other events. This recipe is still used by members of her family that were lucky enough to wander into her kitchen when she was baking and walk away with a fresh-baked bun or cinnamon roll in hand. Beverly always had a freezer full of goodies for her kids, grandkids and any company that stopped by for a visit.
Beverly was active in her yard and garden as well as in her community, church, and bowling league. She traveled all over the country for bowling events and bowled in her local league for over 50 years. She loved entering her flowers, vegetables and culinary items at the Hill and Chouteau County Fairs and won many prizes over the years. She served as the Superintendent of the Culinary Department at the Hill County Fair and volunteered at the Chouteau County Fair. She made hundreds of cookie plates for community and church bake sales.
At home, Beverly collected Roseville pottery that she proudly displayed all around her house. She had beautiful antique furniture that was passed down through the family along with pieces that she gathered over the years. Her house was always immaculate, and she decorated for every holiday. She helped with her grandkids who were all lucky to live close by and spend time at Grandma and Nana's house. Her door was always open to her family and knocking was not required, come in and make yourself at home was the expectation. Saturday morning cartoons, Uno and pinochle card games were enjoyed along with stories, cooking and baking advice.
In 2006, Beverly moved to Fort Benton, MT where she became actively involved in the community. She acquired many new friends and loved her life there. She volunteered at the Visitor's Center and joined the Fort Benton Women's Club, where she was an active participant. She loved to help with their fundraisers and make a pie for their annual pie auction. With help from Vickie and Chuck, she had a yard that included all of her favorite plants and flowers, she proudly enjoyed it with family and friends. She also learned to play a card game called Golf with her Fort Benton friends and loved to play with Vickie and Chuck as well.
Beverly was a dedicated wife, sister, mother, nana, grandma, and great-grandma. She is survived by her children, Terry (Colleen) Grass, John Grass, Vickie (Chuck) Lowen; daughter-in-law, Debi Briese Grass; grandchildren, Jason (Regan) Knight, Taren Grass, Farrah (Iain) McGregor, Richelle Knight (Ryan Jacobson), Kyle (Alena) Grass, Allison (Jeremy) McKamey, David Knight, Darice (Nels) Flesher, Lisa (Brian) Mesenko, Brian Lowen and Lisa Stinger; and great-grandchildren, Ronnie and Ryley Peters, Kymberly and Owen Knight, Hal and Rial McGregor, Ashlyn, Amaya and Avery Sydor and Hudson Jacobson, John and Knox Grass, Matthew and Kate McKamey, Juniper, Hope and Claire Flesher, Mckenzie Mesenko and Zachary, Jade and Lane Lowen. Beverly is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Lionell Grass; parents; brother, Allen Winter; and sister, Donna Wilson.
Memorials in Beverly's name can be made to Fort Benton Women's Club, Benefis Peace Hospice in Great Falls, Faith Bible Church in Fort Benton or to an organization of one's choice. Benton Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit her online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.bentonfh.com.
