Muriel Arrotta

Muriel went to be with her Lord Wednesday, July 22, 2015 as she passed away at a local care facility.A vigil service will be held Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. A funeral liturgy will be held on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.She was born in Billings on December 7, 1920 to Etha and Paul Mauritson. She was the youngest of three children. By the time she was five her parents had become extremely ill and Muriel went to life with Ethas sister and husband, George and Margaret Larson in Alexander, North Dakota. The three children Ralph, Phyllis, and Muriel would not all be together for 60 years. Ralph had accompanied his father back to his fathers homeland, Denmark to care for him until he passed. Ralph traveled back to the U.S. with his daughter for a wonderful reunion of a broken family. Weeks later, after the happy reunion he passed away back in Denmark.Muriel lived with George and Margaret for 17 years. After high school graduation she attended Minot College and attained a teaching degree. Her second year of teaching she accepted a position at Bainville where she taught many of her future husbands relatives and as she put it, I fell in love with those kids. She soon met the love of her life Lawrence Arrotta. Lawrence got drafted into the Army as World War II began and Muriel decided to join the Navy. She was a medic in the beginning, but trained for decoding of messages from warships and was stationed in San Diego, CA. She attained the rank of Ensign and was always proud of her service to her country.In 1945, after the war was over Muriel and Lawrence were married. In 1947, the first of six children were born, and as she put it, I had my own family. While raising a family, she later went back to teaching. She taught at Augusta, Sand Coulee, and Centerville.Muriel is survived by her sons, Bruce Arrotta of Butte, Larry (Deb) Arrotta of Great Falls, and Mike (Terry) Arrotta of Spokane, WA; daughters Loretta (Boyd) Standley of Cascade and Missy Elmore (Charlie) Heit of Great Falls; stepson Larry (Sheri) Davis of Kennewick; 7 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Arrotta; daughter Jacquelin Arrotta; sister Phyllis Briggs; brother Ralph Mauritson; parents Etha and Paul Mauritson; and great grandchild Allysson Standley.Muriels faith and prayers were an inspiration to her family and friends. Lawrence and Muriel opened their home to many relatives and friends. It was an honor and privilege to be her children and grandchildren, and she will be missed greatly. She will now be able to be with her beloved husband and family members who have gone before. She is now being rewarded for being a good and faithful servant.The family would like to sincerely thank the Lodge for the wonderful care they provided for ten years for Muriel and Park Place for end of life care.In lieu of flowers, a suggestion of a donation to the Great Falls Rescue Mission, 326 2nd Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405, our parents favorite cause.