Mertice (Mert) Marottek, age 90, peacefully passed away on December 12, 2021 at Poplar Hospital in Poplar, MT.
Mert was born on Feb 4, 1931 in Vida, MT to Charles and Alice Wolski. When she was a young girl she lived in Park Grove, MT while her father helped to build the Fort Peck Dam. She attended school for a time in Spokane, WA and graduated from high school in Wolf Point, MT in the spring of 1948.
She married Frank Marottek on Nov 19, 1948 at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar. She and Frank had three sons: John in 1949, Charles in 1951, and Harold in 1956. Her first job after marriage was cleaning at the Dale Hospital. It was the first and only job she was ever fired from, for helping another employee finish her tasks. She was hired at the Community Hospital shortly after that and was a nurse for the next 14 years. In 1970, she and Frank purchased the Buckhorn Bar and Restaurant. She worked every position from cleaner to cook. The Buckhorn really was her life and she could always be found in the kitchen or behind the bar, writing out food orders, making soups, and baking pies, maple sticks, and cinnamon rolls. She was Mama Mert to everyone who worked for her and was a therapist as much as she was a boss.
Mert enjoyed puttering around the farm on her golf cart, watering flowers and, in her younger years, gardening. She was an expert canner and baker. She always had cookies on hand for her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved having them over to visit. She was a member of the Montana Tavern Association and in 2019 the association named her Montana’s Retailer of the Year. She was also named a Brown-Forman Retailer of the Year by the American Beverage Licensees’ Association in 2019. On Sunday mornings she was a fixture at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar.
Mert is survived by her three sons, John (Jodi) Marottek of Denver, CO, Charles (Diane) Marottek of Poplar, MT, and Harold (Marilyn) Marottek of Poplar, MT; seven grandchildren, Craig, Charles Jr, Tennille, Ashley, Josh, Doug, and Chelci; 17 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Marottek; her brothers, Ed and George Wolski, and her parents, Charles and Alice Wolski.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar, MT with internment at the Poplar City Cemetery following.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday December 20, 2021
First Presbyterian Church
Poplar, Montana 59255
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JR DRASZT says
My Heartfelt for Prayers of Comfort for Mert’s Family.
She is a Great Lady and going to by Missed by Many
Have a Wonderful Journey
Darlyn Grainger says
So sorry for all of the Marottek families in the loss of your beloved Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Auntie. May God watch over all of the family and relatives during this most difficult time. Prayers and hugs to everyone.
Rick Kirn says
Mert was the consummate business person! This town will not be the same without her dedicated service to the people of Poplar and customers everywhere! She was also a very strong Christian Woman and loved her family. Rest in peace Mert you deserve it!
LuEllen Brown says
Mert is the last Marottek family member of her generation. Her hard work, and the incredible sacrifices of our grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles, will benefit generations of our family members that follow them. We give thanks, and pray for blessings for our families that follow these pioneers. Our condolences to Mert’s immediate family. The loss of a loved family member is too difficult to express with any words.
With love,
Audrey Cory Link and family
LuEllen Cory Brown and family
LuEllen Brown says
Mert was the last Marottek of her generation. Our grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles were pioneers who built a strong foundation for future generations of our family through their hard work and perseverance. The values they passed on will never be forgotten. Our sincere condolences to Mert’s immediate family. It’s never easy to lose someone who you care about. We know that are no words to express this kind of loss.
With respect,
Audrey Cory Link and family
LuEllen Cory Brown and family
Susi Ennis says
Prayers and virtual hugs going out to Mert’s family. She is one of the people I think of often when remembering my time in Poplar. Pastor Susi
Corina Youpee says
Condolences and prayers for the family. Mert was one of my favorite people. I looked up to her and had the utmost respect for her. She was a precious lady. RIP Mert. ❤️
Trudy Fox says
Mert was one of the cornerstones of Poplar and her loss will be felt by many. Sympathy to all her family and friends.
Royal Beck Houg says
I always admired Mert’s strong work ethic and strong support for our little town of Poplar. Never one to shrug off something that needed to be done for this community, or our Church, she would just roll up her sleeves and “git ‘er done”. She knew what things were needed and could rally up those around her to join in serving this community!
I will miss her and that glint in her eye when she was inspired to do something that others would shy away from.
Perhaps she can rest a bit in that heavenly realm, but I wouldn’t doubt that she will soon be rallying to another cause somehow, somewhere!
This world needs more people like Mert Marottek!
Prayers going out to her family!
She will be mightily missed!
We Love you, Mert!
Royal Beck Houg
Laura Christoffersen says
To all of her family, Mert was one of a kind! A force to be reckoned with, but yet kind in her love for her community. She will fortify heaven, motivate the slackers up there and be ready to greet us all! I can’t think of Mert but with a smile on my face and a giggle in my heart….that is a life well-lived.
Colten C says
Mert, there is never enough words that will ever truly express what you meant to me. you were the grandmother that i felt I lost so many years ago. I love you and I hope you are enjoying your time in heaven.
Laurie Shafer says
Oh heaven gain a beautiful Angel and the celebration began. Dear women you will never be forgotten, each and everyone has more than one wonderful memory of you. I know everyone is happy to see you. My deepest condolences to Merts family and my thank you to them for allowing all of us to make our own memories with Mert. I love you guys, may peace be with you.
Thomas Wolski says
Uncle Frank, Aunt Mert and family took me in when I was a somewhat rebellious teen. I am forever in debt and grateful to the entire family. My condolences to all family and friends .
Jim Patch says
She will be missed by everyone who knew her. RIP Mertice.
Kathy Knudsen says
We have always had the utmost respect for Aunt Mert. She was amazing. We will miss her.
Kathy Knudsen
Tom Deveny
Steven Harada says
Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with all of her family. Mert was a huge supporter of the Wolf Point/Poplar walleyes banquet! She was awarded the Sponsor of the Year a few years back. I think the only time she missed the banquet was when her road got flooded. She was a classy lady and definitely a hard worker. RIP Mert.
Maureen Carroll-Halpin says
Mert was an amazing lady. She did a lot for my son John and I while we lived in Poplar. She created a special omelet for John. She made it for him no matter what time of day it was. She did a lot for the community of Poplar. I have thought of her often through the years. May she rest now and be our guiding angel when we need it.
John and Gwyn Nordwick says
Mert was a wonderful lady in many ways thoughtful supportive kind good listener hard-working good mother and grandmother direct honest persistent and a great friend. Meet will be missed by all Who knew her and will have a special place in our heart. God bless you Mert.
John and Gwyn Nordwick
John and Gwyn Nordwick says
Meet was a wonderful lady in many ways thoughtful supportive kind good listener hard-working good mother and grandmother direct honest persistent and a great friend. Meet will be missed by all Who knew her and will have a special place in our heart. God bless you Mert.
John and Gwyn Nordwick
Roger Marchant says
Our most sincere thoughts and prayers to the Marottek family. The notification of Mert’s passing was very sad for all of us. Mert always had a smile, especially for someone in need and had a nice friendly personality. Mert somehow found out that my favorite pie was Lemon Meringue so she baked a few of them for one of her senior luncheons and came out with pie for all in attendance! She was kind and considerate in many ways!
Rest in peace Mert.
Roger Marchant & Family
Lori Tervola-Berger says
A great lady is in Heaven now with her beloved husband and family. Was an honor to know such a classy woman. Had many a great conversations doing her hair. Need more like her to help us all. Our sincere condolences to the entire Marottek family. God Bless you all. William and Lori Tervola-Berger