Mary Hakert

In the early hours of Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019, Mary Alyce Simmons Hakert passed peacefully into the arms of her loving Savior Jesus Christ at her home at Westpark Village. She was surrounded by loved ones as they prayed with her and listened to Christian music. On November 30, 1919, Mary was born in Lincoln, NE to Anna Elma DeJarnett Simmons and Edward B. Simmons, the youngest of 3 children. She grew up on the family homestead by Pumpkin Butte near Midwest, WY. She was a carefree young girl who had a special place in her heart for her horse, Trixy. On October 24, 1936, she married a neighboring rancher, Raymond Joseph Hakert, and together they homesteaded near Buffalo, WY. In 1945 Raymond and Mary relocated to Minneapolis, MN, where Ray attended prosthetic and orthotic school. Yearning to return to the west, in 1947, they seized upon a business opportunity and moved to Billings, MT to establish Billings Orthopedic. Mary was involved in the early years of the business and later devoted herself to her home and family. Mary and Ray were blessed with 6 children, 23 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren and several foster children. Mary used to say that she wanted a kid in every corner of her house, so her grandmother prayed that she'd have a round house. Mary was active in Bible studies, gardening, canning and the Blue Creek community where she and Ray lived for many years. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, Christian and friend. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; mother and father; brother, Melvin Simmons; sister, Mildred Holder; son, Edward Hakert; her sons-in-law, Ben Becker and Gene Wehrman; grandson, Timothy Wehrman; granddaughter, Lisa Hakert; and great-grandson, Riley Orvis. She is survived by her children: Kay Becker, Millie Wehrman and Lynda Rockwell, all of Billings; Doug Hakert (Linda) of Laurel and Mary Beth (Ron) Dallenger of Great Falls; and her precious grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. We will miss her sweet smile and tender heart, her love for the Lord and her love for her family. The family wishes to thank the staff of Westpark Village for the loving care and friendship shown to her in her 8 years of residence. She truly felt at home living there. Should friends desire, memorials can be made to the Westpark Village Employee Christmas Fund, 2351 Solomon Ave., Billings, MT 59102 Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, April 29, 2019 at Mary Queen of Peace Church (formerly Little Flower Church) at 3411-3rd Avenue South, Billings, with a reception to follow at the church. The rosary will be recited at 1:00 pm prior to the service. Interment of cremains at Willow Grove Cemetery in Buffalo, WY, will take place at a later date.