Mary Ellen Corneliuson Childers, 69, of Kalispell, passed away peacefully at home in February 2025 after a long illness, with her loving husband by her side.

Mary was the youngest of five children and was an RH baby born on June 20, 1955, in Great Falls, to Wilma and Chester "Chet" Corneliuson Sr. The family briefly lived in Grass Range for six months before returning to Flathead Valley, where Mary would spend most of her life.

Mary grew up across the pond from her grandma and grandpa’s house, spending cherished time with her mom, Grandma Sorenson, and Grandma Corneliuson while enjoying her days on the family farm. She treasured her time with her Sorenson and Corneliuson cousins, creating lifelong memories on camping trips and impressing everyone with her fishing skills, especially with her signature "worm sandwich" hook.

Mary first attended Spring Creek School until it consolidated with West Valley School. She then attended Flathead High School, where she formed lifelong friendships. As a member of the Class of 1973, she built bonds that would last over 60 years, particularly with Rahni, Cindy, and Sue. She was a regular at the Kalispell Teen Center and excelled in home economics, mastering every project with ease. Mary had a deep love for fashion and once dreamed of working in the fashion industry, but life had other plans.

Mary was blessed with her first child, Heather. The following year, in 1974, she met the love of her life, James Carlton Childers, a Miami native stationed at the Lakeside Air Force Base. They married on Jan. 16, 1975, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell and recently celebrated 50 wonderful years together.

Mary and James began their life together in Miami, Florida, where Mary worked in popular nightclubs as a bartender. In December 1975, they welcomed their son, Jesse. Missing her Montana roots and family, Mary returned to Flathead Valley, where she worked as a bartender in Whitefish until Vanessa was born in 1978.

In the early 1980s, Mary was a proud stay-at-home mom and a neighborhood babysitter. As her children grew older, she began working at a bakery. She also loved going to yard sales with friends and attending rodeos with her family, always cherishing the simple joys of life.

Mary has always been a lifelong animal lover, and developed a deep love for photography, capturing the beauty of wildlife, nature, and the national parks through her lens. She found joy in camping with her family and huckleberry picking, making lasting memories outdoors. Above all, Mary loved visiting family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

By the mid-1980s, Mary and her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she worked at Captain D’s and JCPenney while continuing to impress with her sewing, crafting, and ceramics. By 1990, she fell in love with East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains and settled in Sevierville, Tennessee, where her passion for crafting flourished.

In 1993, the family moved again, this time to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Mary devoted herself to being a homemaker. She homeschooled Vanessa, continued her ceramic and crochet work, and even single-handedly reroofed their family home, showcasing her remarkable strength and determination. She briefly worked as a prep cook at Captain D’s and later briefly drove for Yellow Cab of Colorado Springs.

Mary found her true calling as a family historian. She began building the family genealogy, spending countless hours researching family history on all sides of the family tree, hers and James's. Mary connected family members across the country, preserving ancestral details that otherwise may have been lost. She had a passion for connecting both sides of the family with generations they never knew, a true gift.

Mary’s love for family extended beyond her children, she was a full-time "Granny-sitter" for three of her grandchildren before moving back to Flathead Valley in 2007 to care for her mother, Wilma, in her final years. A natural caregiver, she always put others before herself.

Mary was also a dedicated organizer of her Flathead High School reunions, where she created lasting memories of classmates’ past and present that will forever be treasured. She cherished every opportunity to reconnect with old friends and celebrate the bonds that remained strong throughout the years.

Mary is survived by her loving husband, James Childers; her children Heather (Colin) Arakaki of Whitefish, Jesse (Ree) Childers of Las Vegas, and Vanessa (Jeffrey) Ferguson of Billings; her 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and her brother, Chet (Bette) Corneliuson of Clinton. As well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilma and Chester Corneliuson Sr.; her brother Vern (Sharon) Corneliuson of Bigfork; her brother Donald Corneliuson; her sister Janice Corneliuson; and her grandson, Elon Childers.

Mary adored her family and was a loving grandmother to Meggan (CJ), Kayla (Jason), Grace, Rook, Faith, Marquis, Travis (Savanna), Makayla (Sean), Corban, Cacelia, Damon (Sammi), and Kelton. She cherished her great-grandchildren; Jaerik, Stella, Lennon, Brynley, Peyton, Zaliyah, and Alaina, and was thrilled to learn she had another great-grandbaby on the way. Mary encouraged her grandchildren to explore their musical talents, giving them guitars and keyboards, a passion that proved to be very successful for many of them.

Mary will be remembered for her kind heart, quick wit, infectious smile, and unwavering love for her family and friends. She had a unique ability to make every person feel special, and her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched. She always saw the best in people and went out of her way to help others. She was a truly pure-hearted and one-of-a-kind person you will ever meet.

Her infectious smile, laugh, warm hugs, and tender heart will live on in her family forever.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on March 7, 2025, at Family Life Christian Church of Kalispell, with a reception to follow. Mary will be laid to rest at Conrad Cemetery in Kalispell. If you wish to send flowers, you may send them to Family Life Christian Church.