Dolores Marie Messer

Dolores Marie Messer, died peacefully on Saturday July 21, 2024 at the age of 88.

Dolores was born on April 28, 1936 to Jacob and Elizabeth Gerhardt in Flasher, North Dakota. She graduated with a degree in teaching and taught from 1955 to 1962. She married Albert Messer in August 1956. After moving to Anaconda in 1963, they opened Coast to Coast Hardware, which they ran until 1992. Following the sale of the store, Dolores stayed on as the number one employee until her retirement in 2018.

Dolores and Al welcomed three children; Sheila, Blaine and Tim. Her children remember her as a fierce supporter and a kind grandmother. She knew all there was to know about helping someone find the right plumbing supplies. She was the county spelling bee champion and continued her spelling affinity all through life judging local spelling bees. As a grandmother she was the height growth chart they each sought to surpass.

Dolores enjoyed working with her hands including embroidery and crocheting. She often crocheted hats and lap blankets to donate. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo and baking. She made sure no one left without sugar cookies and a loaf of banana bread. She loved watching her grandkid’s sporting events. She was a generous individual who loved her family and her community. Dolores was an active and devout member of the Catholic Church and volunteered when she could.

Dolores is survived by her husband Albert, her children Sheila, Blaine and Janet, Tim and Liana; her grandchildren Jason and Mandy, Mark and Kate, Drew and Taryn, Dane, Caden and Kyra; her special granddaughters Nicole and Amanda: her great grandchildren Layne, Carter, Tucker, Remy, Tyler and Laine. She is also survived by her siblings and inlaws -Margie and Bob Knoll, Darlene and Dennis Heider, Ed and Patty Gerhardt, Ester Gerhardt, Veronica Messer, Irene Messer, Larry and Diane Messer, Cornell Huff, Polly Messer, Kathy and Kenny Heuske, Eddy Messer, Eileen Messer, Alice and Howard Steiner and Bernie and Jim Staudinger. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Jacob and Elizabeth Gerhardt, siblings Burnetta and Frances Barth, Katherine and Benno Barth and Eugene Gerhardt, in laws Katie and John Messer, Kasper Messer, Joe and Tillie Messer, Mike Messer, Delores Hoff, Clarence Messer, Norman Messer, Debbie Messer, Joanne and Ron Kopp and Chuck Clavelot.

There will be a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday July 27, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 217 W. Pennsylvania. There will be a burial at Mount Olivet with luncheon to follow at the Hunthausen Center at the church.. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dolores’ life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hearst Free Library or charity of your choice. The family would like to thank Diane McCarthy, Cindy Reed, Anaconda Community Hospital, New Horizons and Hospice for their care. The family would like to send a special thank you to Dolores and Al’s neighbors and first responders for their help.

Please visit the side bar to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Dolores.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Dolores and her family.