Sherry Grande

A dedicated mother to her daughters, a talented decorator, and a person deeply caring of others, Sherry Colleen Grande, 73, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 24, 2011 at Eagle Cliff nursing home. A Billings, Montana native, Sherry was born February 12, 1938 to parents Johannes and Vermell Rookhuizen. After attending Senior High in Billings, Sherry married Johnny Eugene ""Gene "" Grande February 12, 1956. Following the birth of their first daughter, Martha, they moved to San Fernando, California where daughter Blossom was born in 1960. Shortly afterward, they moved back to Billings, making it their permanent home. Sherry worked for Pierces Meat Packing in her early years, then for CBM. A term as custodian at Will James Junior High led her to start her own custodianship with her daughter Blossom. She loved her work and was proud of managing her own company. Having an artists eye, she enjoyed decorating her home and the homes of others as well as flower arranging, cooking and entertaining friends and family. She especially loved dancing, particularly tap and jazz. Certainly a devotee, she took many lessons over the years. With a love of the outdoors, she looked forward to rock hunting trips with Gene, long country drives and camping, embracing Montanas pristine beauty at every turn. However, her greatest joys were found being with her daughters and grandchildren. She was fond of hiking with them in the Beartooth Mountains near Absarokee. Sherry often said that her closest friends were her daughters, Martha and Blossom. Having had a great deal of integrity, no one messed with “her girls”. As the girls were growing up they enjoyed watching old movies. Sometimes they would get up at 3 am to watch an Elvis movie or an Abbott and Costello or perhaps a Jerry Lewis. Above all, she liked Elvis. Goodness who didn't!! Possessing a true sense of caring for others, she had a soft spot for people in need and would anonymously, and generously help them. Sponsoring children in foreign countries was a big part of her charitable contributions. Sherry was preceded in death by her parents Johannes and Vermell Rookhuizen and her brother Johannes “Butch” Rookhuizen. She is survived by Gene, her husband of 55 years; daughters Martha Grande of Kalispell and Sherry ""Blossom” and David Gabel of Billings; brothers Carl Rookhuizen of Billings