Mary E. Griffin, 91

Mary E. Griffin, 91, of Polson, passed into eternal rest at her home, surrounded by family on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010. Mary was born on April 2, 1919, in Hot Springs, to Niarada homesteaders Harv and Elsie Mullen. She grew up in Niarada riding a horse to the one-room Battle Butte School, where she attended until being sent to board in Kalispell to attend high school. She married George Ramsey in 1935 and they had six children together. They later divorced. She married Joe Griffen in 1948 and they had a daughter together. Mary raised sheep for much of her life and was happiest outside working in her flower garden or on her many crafts. She had a large extended family that she loved and listened to with a sympathetic ear. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Griffin; two sons, Wayne and Earl Ramsey; and two grandsons, Preston and William Redman. She is survived by five children, Shirley Redman, Donna Zielke and Gary Ramsey, all of Polson, Joyce Madsen of Kirkland, Wash., and Sandra Kelley of Minden, Nev.; 24 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren. Private interment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday, Aug. 19, at the United Methodist Church in Polson, with Pastor John Payne officiating. A reception will follow at the V.F.W. in Polson. Condolences may be left to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com