Judy Marlys Gratz

Judith (Judy) Marlys Gratz, Thompson Falls, Montana, died June 2, 2013 of pulmonary hypertension. Judy was born April 8, 1941 in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Harry and Margaret Klick. A funeral mass to honor Judy will be held at 11 a.m. on June 21, 2013 at St. William's Church, Thompson Falls, MT. Friends and family are invited to share memories of Judy at a luncheon following the service. She attended school in Hebron, North Dakota, where she graduated from high school in 1959. She played trumpet in the school band, was a cheerleader and was a member of the Hebron Rodeo Club. She was Worthy Advisor in Rainbow for Girls and a delegate to North Dakota Girls' State. In 1963, Judy earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Dickinson State College, Dickinson, North Dakota. She was a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, the college rodeo team and was homecoming princess in her senior year. Judy married her college sweetheart, Donald Gratz, April 4, 1964, in Poplar, Montana, where Judy taught English and Physical Education. It was here on the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation where Judy developed her affection for the Native American people. Son Robbin Lee was born in 1965 while they lived in Poplar. Second son, Scott Allen, was born in 1966 after the family moved to Bismarck, N.D. where they lived for two years. For the next 32 years, Sidney, MT was their home. Judy did substitute teaching and was assistant manager for the LaLonde Hotel for several years before going back to teaching in the Title I program for a number of years. Her dream of retiring in the mountains of western Montana was realized in 2000 when she and Don moved to Thompson Falls, MT. Judy had a deep love of animals, especially horses and was an ardent rider until her scleroderma disease kept her from riding in recent years. Through her love and compassion, Judy touched the lives of many students and friends, but most profoundly her family. Judy is survived by her husband Don Gratz, son Robbin (Jody) Gratz of Austin, TX; son Scott (Vickie) Gratz of Clarkston, WA; grandsons Matthew Gratz, Tanner Gratz, and Trevor Gratz; great grandson Gavin Gratz-McGill; mother Margaret Klick; and sister Nancy Sand. She was preceded in death by her father Harry Klick and granddaughter Kirsten Gratz. In lieu of flowers, please feel to send memorial contribution to one of Judy's favorite charities listed: Thompson River Animal Care Shelter, PO Box 1589, Thompson Falls, MT 59873; DeLa Salle Blackfeet School, PO Box 1489, Browning, MT 59417; or St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, MT 59004. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sunset Hills Funeral Homes, Thompson Falls, 406-826-5653.

Service Information Memorial Service Friday June 21, 2013 11:00 AM to TBD St. Williams Catholic Church Thompson Falls, MT 59873