Mae Isbel Murrish Wals

Mae Isbel Murrish Walsh was born June 20, 1924 in Burlington, MT (suburb of Butte) to James and Mable Murrish. She passed January 4, 2022. Mae was preceded in death by 3 brothers, 2 sisters, and son Truman (killed in Vietnam, 1969). She was one of the last Gold Star Mothers.

Mae's young life was not easy, she was raised in an orphanage from the age of 10 to 17 in Twin Bridges. She married Gerald M. Walsh in 1943 in Butte, MT. They moved to Fort Belknap in 1943 where she resided on the family ranch until she moved into the Hi-Line Retirement Center. Mae loved to cook and ride horses. She cooked for the Itchiana Matador Ranch crew during the shearing and haying seasons. She also cooked at the DY Junction and Zortman café at different times. She worked alongside her husband on the family ranch until he passed in 1979.

One always knew when Mae was in the house, her loud laughter and voice always preceded her appearance. Even in her last months she would come down the halls of the Hi-Line saying, "here I come, here I come". Everyone knew it was Mae before being seen. She had an infectious laugh and loved to have a good time.

She is survived by daughter Elizabeth of Livingston, sons Gerald "Bud", of Zortman, Kennedy of Hardin, and Lyndon of Columbia Falls. She has 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren with one on the way.

A service will be held at a later date.

Wilderness Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and services.