Mary's Obituary
Mary Ellen Lammerding of Havre, MT, lovingly known to many of her family and friends as Nanny, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on October 19, 2022, at the Benefis Peace Hospice in Great Falls.
Mary was born on May 2, 1928, in Goldstone, Montana to Sadie and Thomas Stevens. As one of five children, Mary grew independent quickly and left home at the age of 13 to pursue her life. She moved to Havre and began working at the hospital to support herself. Mary had a steadfast work ethic that eventually led her to a career at the Havre Hotel, the Le Havre Inn, and then the Duck Inn where she would retire from many years later.
In Mary’s late teenage years, she met Raymond Nelson, whom she married in the 1940s. Ray and Nanny had two daughters, Betty and Mary Ann. Mary and Ray shared nine years together until his passing.
When Mary was young, she loved to get dressed up and go out dancing. One of those nights, she met the love of her life, Dennis “Duke” Lammerding. Mary fell for Dennis quickly and soon his wild side was tampered when they married on October 11, 1957. Dennis and Mary each had two children and were able to successfully blend their families. They then had two sons, Dennis Jr. and Edward, who completed their family. Dennis and Mary were avid members of the Elks Club in Havre and would often attend events together. Dennis was tragically taken from Mary when he passed in 1984. In the years after his passing Mary’s heart was filled with love by her kids and the many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren they would give her throughout the rest of her life.
One of Mary’s grandchildren began calling her “Nanny” and from then on, most of her family and friends embraced the loving nickname. Nanny was known for her amazing cooking and making sure no one went hungry when she was around. She was an avid BINGO player and enjoyed playing at the senior centers with her many friends. Later in life, she even took trips with her daughters to Laughlin to play BINGO all day. As much as she enjoyed BINGO, the most important thing to Nanny was her family. She attended as many of her grand (and great-grand) kids sporting events as she could. Many of them have very fond memories of her cheering them on from the stands.
Nanny blessed her family and friends with 94 joyful years of life. She genuinely loved life and had the kindest heart. She went out of her way to smile and talk with everyone she crossed paths with. Positivity radiated from Nanny, even at the very end of her life. Nanny’s family was her greatest achievement, and not a day went by without her talking about how much her children and family meant to her. She left an imprint on all their hearts that will not be forgotten.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Lammerding, her first husband, Raymond Nelson; son-in-law, Gary Fredericksen; stepdaughter, Anna Lammerding; stepson, Jim Lammerding; her siblings; and parents, Thomas and Sadie Stevens.
Mary was survived by her children, Betty Fredericksen, Mary Ann (Scott) Mclean, Denny (Jeri) Lammerding, and Ed (Corina) Lammerding. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life for Mary will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made in the form of a donation to the Benefis Peace Hospice to thank them for the extraordinary care Mary received at their facility towards the end of her life.
