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Maryrose Groce

February 11, 1922 – January 22, 2024

Maryrose (Balkovatz) Groce, of Spokane Valley, Washington, was born on February 11, 1922, as the second of five children to Marcus (Balkovec) Balkovatz and Mary (Grdun) Balkovatz in Anaconda, Montana, and passed away January 22, 2024, following complications resulting from a fall at the age of 101.

Maryrose attended St. Peters Catholic Grade School and graduated from St. Peters Catholic High School both located in the same building in Anaconda, and graduated as a teacher from Great Falls College in Great Falls, Montana.

At 11 years old Maryrose survived being rushed to the hospital in Anaconda due to a ruptured appendix and peritonitis, which caused her parents much concern as they lost their first child, Frank, to this same infection.

When Maryrose was 15 years old, the family moved to her parent’s ranch in Zilje, Slovenia, at the base of the Alps. After a year, they were forced to return to Montana in 1938, when they were notified their ranch was going to be under military occupation.

During Maryrose’s studies at Great Falls College, she met Tom Groce in a literature class. They went their separate ways and corresponded via letters. Following graduation and after one year of teaching, Maryrose left Montana with girlfriends for Seattle, Washington to help with the WWII war effort as office workers. In early 1943, she and Tom reconnected in the Seattle area. Tom was stationed nearby in the US Army/AirCorp officer and pilot training program. When he received his military orders to leave for England, he proposed to Maryrose, and she said Yes. They were married in a Catholic ceremony at the airbase in Moses Lake, Washington, October 25, 1943.

Following Tom’s military discharge in 1945, he and Maryrose relocated to Butte, Montana allowing Tom to finish a degree at the Montana School of Mines. There, daughter Marilyn and son Tom Jr. were born. After graduating, Tom’s career took them to Newark, Ohio, for three years, and Portland, Oregon for two years where Maryrose taught third grade. Spokane Valley, Washington was their final residence for the next 70 years,where son Ed and daughter Maureen were born.

Maryrose was a very active Catholic who frequently prayed the rosary. She was active inschool parent activities and the Altar Society. She was especially delighted in being part of the success of the annual St. John Vianney rummage sale in Spokane Valley.

Maryrose’s biggest joy was her family. She will be remembered for her stories and her love for her kitchen, cooking and baking to a revolving door of family and guests. Everyone will remember her cupboard full of homemade cookies, cakes, pies, povitica, butter-braid, and cinnamon rolls.

Maryrose loved to travel whether it was a cross country road trip or her many trips with Tom to Europe to stay connected with family. Maryrose organized many group trips to Asia where they loved the cuisine, shopping, and the strong Asian family relationships and hospitality.

Tom and Maryrose were married for 63 years. Although she missed his presence very much after his 2006 passing, she remained active with family, her parish, her community, and stayed in her home and drove until she was 98 years old, when she made the decision to move into senior independent living at Evergreen Fountains, where she had excellent care and made many friends.

Maryrose, a two-time breast cancer survivor, recently was asked what her secret to longevity was. She replied: “First God, next family, stay active and don’t worry!”

Maryrose is preceded in death by her husband Tom, parents Marcus and Mary, her brothers Frank, Joseph (Joe) and William (Bill), and her sister Christina (Tini). She is survived by her daughter Marilyn (Vernon Leck), son Tom (Lonna), son Ed (Karen), and daughter Maureen, grandchildren Samantha (Dylan Moberg), Todd (Brandi), Brian (Shaunda), Andy (Jenni), Rachelle (Aaron Blackmer), Kara (John Stoker), Tom, Katie (Kevin Mauermann), great-grandchildren Mia, Fynn, Easton, Hudson, Jonah, Alayna, Peter, Annabelle, Kelsie, and Ashlee.