Mary Frances (Klemencic) Covert

Mary Frances (Klemencic) Covert passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2019, with her family at her side, six days short of her 96th birthday. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019. The church is located at 201 44th Street South. A private burial of her ashes will be held at a later date. Cremation was done under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home. Mary was born in Joliet, Illinois on January 18, 1923 to Joseph Klemencic and Frances Hainscheck. When she was a year old, her mother died of tuberculosis. Her father later married Sophie Stimac, who then helped to raise Mary. Mary was raised during the Great Depression which helped to shape her ability to stretch a dollar. Her family raised much of their own food, and everyone worked when jobs were available. While working at the Victory Market, Mary struck up a friendship with a customer named Grace (Rooney) (Covert) Carlson. Grace often talked to Mary about her son Bob, and finally introduced them. Mary and Bob had an instant connection and on November 14, 1942 they were married. Together they raised six children. Mary was a very devoted mother and grandmother who loved family gatherings. Her love and affection helped to make holidays truly magical. She was especially known for her fabulous baking skills, including her Povitica bread at Christmas and cinnamon rolls on Wednesdays. Mary loved to spend time at the family cabin in Lincoln. She personally didn’t like to fish or hike but strongly encouraged her children to participate in outdoor activities.She would often accompany Bob on his fishing trips but would find a shady spot and work on her embroidery while he filled his limit. Bob and Mary started Combustion Service Company in 1971 and worked there until their retirement on December 31, 1987. Mary is survived by her brother Richard Klemencic and wife Barbara (Black) of Great Falls; children Yvonne (Covert) Muchmore and husband Frank of Columbia Falls, Donna (Covert) Bliss of Billings, Nancy (Covert) Ocheltree and her husband Butch of Great Falls, Dave Covert and wife Cathy (Meek) of Great Falls and Kitty (Covert) Bergan and husband Scott of Great Falls; daughter-in-law Carrie (Maxwell) Covert; 21 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and 26 great-great grandchildren. Sadly, her son John passed away in 2005; her older brother Joseph Klemencic passed away in 2009 and Bob passed away in 2010.