Anne Marie Semsak
Anne Marie Semsak passed away early Friday morning, March 7, 2014, in St. James Healthcare. Anne Marie was born on March 2, 1938 in Butte, Mont., the daughter of Ralph Albert and Monica Catherine (Prendergast) Olsen.
Anne Marie was educated at the Immaculate Conception Parochial School and graduated in 1956 from Girls Central. She also attended Carroll College in Helena. On September 28, 1957, Anne Marie married Albert Emmett “Sonny” Semsak at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Butte. He preceded her in death.
The savior of many a troubled Butte youth, Anne Marie was a long-time member of the Butte-Silver Bow Probation Department as a Juvenile Probation Officer. Her outgoing personality, social nature, and genuine love of people was evident by her long list of activities. Anne Marie was an active member of the Butte Garden Club, Heritage Federal (Safeway) Credit Union, the Red Hat Society, and the Toastmistresses.
Equally as proud of her Nordic ancestry as she was of her Celtic ancestry, Anne Marie was a member of the Daughters of Norway and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. When her children were young, she spent countless enjoyable hours sewing. Later in life, she liked crocheting with her cherished friends as a member of the Happy Hookers. In addition to her love of craft work and reading, never one to stand still long, Anne Marie loved skiing, traveling, summers at Flathead Lake, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and many special friends. She will always be remembered as a very loyal, loving friend.
In addition to her parents, and her husband, Anne Marie was preceded in death by her son, Frank Semsak; her brother, Albert Olsen; and her sister-in-law, Steph Olsen. She is survived, and will be missed, by her sons and daughters-in-law, Ralph Semsak of Butte; Mike and Marian Semsak of San Jose, Calif.; Bill and Marla Semsak of Butte; and Dan and Margie Semsak of Ferndale, Wash.; her daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Pat Cunneen of Butte; her grandchildren, Britton (and wife, Cedar) Kopesky; Matthew (and wife, Tamierra) Semsak; Kaitlyn, Sophia, and Elijah Semsak; Sarah and Jacob Semsak; Derek and Cienna Semsak; and Emma Lee, Quinn, Elliana, Reece, and Sam Cunneen; and her great-grandchildren, Shailene and Kolten Semsak. She is also survived by her sister, Sister Elizabeth Olsen, BVM; brothers, T. James “Oly” Olsen and Paul Olsen; her Aunt and Uncle, Paul and Jackie Olsen of Billings; niece, Mary Schumacher; nephews, Tim and Ralph (Tony) Olsen; and many treasured friends.
In lieu of flowers, please send any memorial donations to the Discovery House, 65 Sheep Gulch Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711; Sisters of Charity, BVM, 1100 Carmel Dr, Dubuque, IA 52003; or any of the organizations to which she belonged.
The wake will be on Friday, March 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral services will be on Saturday, the 15th, at 10:00 a.m. Both will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Butte. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. There will be a reception following at 12:00 noon.