Mary Lee Mantz

Mary Lee (Lee) Mantz passed from this life on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Columbus, Montana and is now in the presence of her Savior.  She was born on December 20, 1937 to Edward F. and Esther O. Smith in Glasgow, MT during the construction of the Fort Peck Dam.  After the completion of the dam the family moved to Sidney, Montana where Lee grew up with her older sister Betty L. and her younger brother Robert E. (Bob).

Lee grew up in a country home just outside of Sidney attending the schools, church and Sunday School.  She developed a love of music often singing duets with her sister in church and later including her brother in trios.  She developed a love of animals that she inherited from her father and a love of house plants that she inherited from her mother.

Moving from Sidney, Lee lived in Billings and Bozeman, Montana, working in various retail jobs with friendly customer service.  After a work ending injury to her back Lee later moved to Brigham City, Utah to be near her sister.  When there, Lee and Betty renewed their singing in church together and also forming as the “Sunshine Sisters” singing old classics at group homes.

Lee followed Betty back to Montana to the town of Forsyth, again pairing up with her singing duets in church.  She also served as a senior companion for a number of years assisting several elderly people.  She lived in Forsyth for over twenty years until she was in need of assistance herself. Lee then moved to Huntley, Montana to live with her daughter and son-in-law. 

The work injury plagued Lee for the rest of her life. Her pain weighed on her immensely often causing depression. But in all her struggles Lee would return to her faith in Jesus.  She knew that Jesus bore all her burdens and sins on the cross and satisfied God’s demands on them.

Lee loved her country, her children and her Savior. She enjoyed singing patriotic songs and the old hymns. In her later years Lee enjoyed her dogs, always loving on them.  She also enjoyed walking amongst the animals on her son-in-law and daughter’s property, listening to her CDs and watching Bob Ross paint on TV.  She particularly loved singing along to the Gaither Homecoming series and be praying to her loving Heavenly Father.

Lee was surrounded by family and the wonderful team at the Meadowlark Assisted Living facility in Columbus, Montana in her final moments. Lee is preceded in death by her parents, her sister and her brother.  She is survived by her children Dan Winter of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Alan Zimmerman of Newport, Oregon, Edward (Nancy) Hystad of Bozeman, Montana, Michelle (Josh) Visocan of Huntley, Montana, eleven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. 

Lee’s family wish to give the staff at Meadowlark Assisted facility a big thank you for the wonderful care they provided her.

 Internment to be at the Richland Memorial Park in Sidney, Montana.