Mary Lou Countryman

Mary Lou Countryman, 89, of Bozeman, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2013. She was born February 29, 1924 in Deer Lodge, Montana to Ralph and Caroline (Leibach) Ross. Mary Lou graduated as Valedictorian a year early from Powell County High School in Deer Lodge, Montana; she went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT. While she studying at UM, she met the love of her life, Scott Adams Pfohl, whom she married shortly thereafter. They were happily married until his passing in 1963. They had two children, Carolyn Byrd (Pfohl) Erickson and Ross Scott Adams Pfohl. After graduation, she worked as a teacher both in Deer Lodge, MT and Missoula, MT. Always curious and interested, she continued her education and eventually earned a Nutrition Minor, a Paralegal Minor, and even became certified in Gemology. Mary Lou was a Kappa Kappa Gamma, a member of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Education Organization) and was an active member and lay reader for St James Episcopal Church. She volunteered over 1000 hours at the Museum of the Rockies where she served as a docent. Mary Lou was a loyal MSU Bobcat football fan and a strong supporter of the Arts; she regularly attended the Opera, Symphony, and Broadway shows. She had a passion for decorating, golf, bridge, skiing, nutrition, holistic/organic living, and above all, her faith. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Carolyn Erickson, and brother Richard ‘Dick’ Ross. She is survived by her son Ross Pfohl and Lesli Colis of Big Sky; Son-in-law Bruce and Gail Erickson of Bozeman, grandchildren Tyler Erickson of Bozeman and Taylor (Erickson) and Jeremy Wortman of Bozeman, sister Marjorie Beck of Deer Lodge, niece Mary Lou Weiner of Idaho, and three nephews. A visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00pm on Monday, March 18, 2013 at the Dahl Funeral Chapel in Bozeman; family will be present to greet friends from 5:00-6:30pm. The funeral service will be at 1pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at St James Episcopal church in Bozeman with interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Livingston. A bus is provided for those needing assistance if they wish to travel to Livingston. A reception will follow at Riverside Country Club back in Bozeman from 3:30-6:30pm. The family would like to thank Cottonwood Case Management, Paige Taylor, Darcy Saunders and staff for their support and guidance regarding Mary Lou’s care both while she lived with us at home and as she transitioned to Highgate Senior Living. We thank the entire staff at Highgate Chalet for their compassionate care during the end stages of life. We would also like to thank Maria and Ambros Locker of Big Sky, for their friendship and assistance in caring for Mary Lou in our home. Memorials may be made in Mary Lou’s name to: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 (www.alzfdn.org), the Bozeman Symphony, 1001 W. Oak St., Suite 201, Bozeman, MT 59715 (www.bozemansymphony.org) or P.E.O. Star Scholarship, c/o P.E.O. International Headquarters, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com. or directed to Ross Pfohl, PO Box 161250, Big Sky MT 59716.