Marilee Woodruff Jones, 88, passed to her eternal home on May 26, 2015 in Great Falls, Montana. A graveside service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday June 4th at Highland Cemetery. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Marilee’s life.

Marilee was born on April 23, 1927 on the Woodruff homestead in Ada, Kansas to Oliver and Vera (Redding) Woodruff. Her early years were filled with the daily activities of farm life in the depression era of the 1930s and the war years of the 1940s. First educated in a one-room school house, she went on to become a proud graduate of both Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, earning degrees in home economics and nursing, and laying the foundation for a lifetime of caring for others ahead of herself.

A beautiful woman, she married Robert A. “Bob” Jones in Ada on August 29, 1950. The couple first lived in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, then moved to Southern California in 1959. They settled in Great Falls in 1966, and shortly thereafter, Marilee went to work as a registered nurse at the old Columbus hospital, caring for countless patients for 24 years with compassion and a personal touch, always quick to ask, “How can I help?” She was also instrumental in developing the new Columbus hospital’s emergency room in the1980s. Following retirement in 1990, Marilee continued working in service to others in numerous volunteer positions.

Throughout her life, Marilee loved spending time with family; enjoyed vacations that included camping and fishing; traveled throughout the Western United States; and tended a beautifully landscaped yard and garden that bloomed with a variety of roses. She also enjoyed creatively decorating her home, working on sewing projects with her daughters, and teaching her children the simple joys of cooking using the flavors of the Kansas plains in the shadows of the mountains of Montana.

Marilee is survived by her children, Kathy Jones (Paul “Buzz”) Erb of Great Falls, Barbara Jones (Tim) Pearson of Kalispell, Kenneth Michael Jones of Casper, Wyoming, and Gary Alan Jones, also of Casper; her brother Robert (Beverly) Woodruff of Minneapolis, Kansas; and her cherished friend of more than 20 years, Jim Noble. Grandchildren Lance (Melissa) Foley, Amber Foley (Kevin) Westie, Krystal Erb Phares, Ryan Pearson and Casey Pearson, and five great grandchildren: Darleen Westie, Isabel Foley, Cale Phares, Jordan Phares, and Alexandra Phares.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 41 years, Bob; her parents; sister Darlene (Corky) Freeman; and her dearly loved parents-in-law, Robert A. and Beatrice Jones.

The family would like to thank the staff of Bluebird House for their tireless and loving care of Marilee.

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