Mary Niome (Hedges) Sacrison, 89, passed away peacefully with family by her side, on March 2, 2019.

Mary was born May 4, 1929 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota to Harry Horton “Gum”
Hedges and Manda Marie (Remmen) Hedges. She spent her early childhood on a cattle ranch near
Ekalaka, Montana. While still in grade school she moved with her mother to Buffalo, South Dakota
where they lived with her grandparents, Peter Allen Remmen and Mary (Haugen) Remmen. Mary
graduated from Buffalo High School in 1948. During the school years and summers she worked at
various jobs including clerking at the Sturdevant Drug Store and the Stensland Grocery Store, waiting
table at French’s Café and helping with sheep shearing at the Antelope Preserve.

Mary went to the University of South Dakota at Vermillion where, after also attending summer school
in Spearfish, she received a mathematics and education degree in three years. Her first teaching job
was in Presho, South Dakota where she taught math and English. During summers she worked
at Mount Rushmore for Carl and Kay Burgess, where she made several life-long friends. On August 23,
1952 she married William Richard “Bill” Sacrison in Buffalo, South Dakota. Mary taught high school
math in Rapid City while Bill completed his education at South Dakota School of Mines. After Bill joined
the Navy, Mary continued to work at Mount Rushmore while Bill attended Officers Candidate School
and she taught math in Maryland while Bill was stationed at the Pentagon and attended other Naval
schools. While Bill was stationed in Coronado, California, Mary taught at San Ysidro. Their first
daughter, Karen, was born at the Naval Station in Coronado. Their second daughter, Diane, was born in
Laramie, Wyoming where Bill attended the University of Wyoming. After a short time managing a hotel
in Keystone, South Dakota the family moved to Casper, Wyoming where Mary taught math for five
years at Natrona County High School while Bill was employed by AMOCO Production Company. After
their next move to Denver, Colorado Mary taught math at Denver Metropolitan Education Center for
more than 20 years. While there she was honored with a Denver “Teacher of the Year” award. In 1978,
she received a Master of Arts from the University of Colorado. In addition to being an outstanding
teacher, Mary served as a role model and inspiration to her family, students and fellow teachers.

After retiring in 1986, Mary and Bill moved from Denver and built a new home near Kalispell, Montana.
They enjoyed traveling to several worldwide destinations, including Australia, New Zealand, South and
Central America, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway. Mary also made a
trip to Israel and Egypt with a group from various Kalispell area churches and a memorable second trip
to Norway with cousins Marjorie and Peter visiting relatives while there. In 2002, Mary and Bill
traveled to the same small community where they spoke their wedding vows to celebrate their 50th
Anniversary among relatives and friends. They went on to celebrate 62 years of marriage. Their
daughters and grandchildren will most cherish their countless memories of camping and fishing trips in
Montana and Wyoming.

After Bill’s passing, Mary moved to Casper, Wyoming in January of 2017 and has enjoyed her last
years living in the Primrose Retirement Community. She cherished her friends, especially her
bridge partners, both in Kalispell and Casper. Mary was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran in
Kalispell and Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Casper.

Mary always placed other’s interests ahead of her own. Her daughters and their families provided
countless hours of pride, joy and satisfaction. Mary shall be remembered and honored as a loving and
caring Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Friend. Upon her passing the earth’s loss is most surely
heaven’s gain.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Karen (Bob) Leach of Missoula, Montana; Diane (Doug) Ginsbach of
Casper, Wyoming; grandchildren Jake Ginsbach, Luke (Emily) Ginsbach, Garrett and
Hannah (Hanni) Leach, Marya (Ben) Morrow and great granddaughter Holland; brother-in-law
Hans (LeAna) Sacrison, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, including Gary (Phyllis) Gilbert,
Peter (Jan) Remmen and Norman Negaard. She is preceded in death by her husband Bill and cousin
Sherry Negaard.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held in Buffalo, South Dakota this summer. In lieu of flowers
donations may be made to a cancer organization or Lutheran church of the donor’s choice.

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