Birdice Marie Sowle Gibbs passed away April 12, 2017 at Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City, MT, surrounded by her husband and children. It was the end of her battle with cancer.
Birdice was born in Jordan, MT on December 14, 1943 to Ben and Anne (Kerr) Sowle and joined her three older sisters on the Sowle family homestead near Phon, MT. In 1947 Ben and Anne sold the homestead and moved to Brockway where they owned and operated Brockway Motors. Birdice attended grade school in Brockway and high school in Circle where she graduated in 1962. She had great memories of her childhood, growing up with her sisters, working in the garage, skating and swimming in the Redwater, spending time with her Kerr cousins, and going to the lake. She attended college in Dickinson, Beauty College in Miles City, then worked as a beautician in Circle for 2 years. During that time she met David Gibbs and they married in 1967. They spent the next 50 years as a part of the Weldon community, farming, ranching and raising a family.
Mom was a person who liked life to be simple, quiet and planned out. She was tall and beautiful, sweet, thoughtful, and “quirky” as one of her son-in-laws described her. Mom was modest and lady-like but she was actually a talented mechanic, could patch a tire, build cabinets, tape sheetrock, fix plumbing, and when in doubt would refer to her well worn copy of the Reader’s Digest Do-It-Yourself Book. She was in constant motion keeping things in good working order, putting a quick and tasty meal on the table, and tenaciously keeping the weeds and mouse population under control; not to mention the pocket gophers. She also had a talent for building interesting things for her grand kids out of cardboard, duct tape and tinker toys. Mom had a great energy for life. She was such a great mom and grandmother, sister, and wife to our dad.
Birdice was preceded in death by her parents, sister Marilyn Logan and two infant sisters. She is survived by her husband David, son Kevin (Dawn) Gibbs, daughters Kally (Reg) Billing and Kim (Ross) Murray, grandchildren Ashley(Ryan) Hall, Maizee, Jeremiah and Ezekial Dirkson, Elijah Hall, David, Donovan, Abigail, Alice and Daniel Gibbs, Joseph and Ethan Billing, and Roy, Owen and Josie Murray, sisters Agnes (Delno) Pawlowski and MayBelle (Bill) Rittal, brother-in-law John Logan, and numerous nephews and nieces. Should you desire, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 4-6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Bonnie Bergerson says
my sympathy to all of the family, loved her dearly!
Jack and Clare says
Dear Kalley, Our prayers and sympathy are with you. Love Jack and Clare8
Denise Strand Stambaugh says
Condolences to all of Berdie’s family. May God wrap his loving arms around you to comfort and guide you through the rough days ahead. She was always a bright ray of light wherever you saw her.
Tami Strand & family says
Kevin, Kally and Kim, So sorry for you loss. thoughts and prayers with you during this time. I remember her laugh and she gave me my first perm. A staple to the Weldon community. Will miss her.
Harvey and Trudy Kirkegard says
To the Gibbs Family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Birdice…she was such a wonderful and thoughtful person. She will be greatly missed by all. Our sincere condolences to her family during this sad time.
Larry and Sheri Schmidt says
So sorry to hear of Birdice’s passing. I haven’t seen her in years but every time we met we had a great visit. She was a lovely lady.
Debbie (Bond) Wagner says
We are so sorry to hear of Birdice’s passing. She was such a lovely lady. We have many memories of her from our Brockway days. The family of Dale & Ruth Bond
Donna Moline Ostby says
I have fond memories of Birdice from our days at Brockway Grade School, and later as we rode the bus to Circle for high school. Her whole family was such an important part of the Brockway Community. My sympathy to you all at this sad time; so sorry for your loss.
Sandra Keeland Meeker says
I grew up across the street from Birdice. I have many fond memories of all of us Brockway kids and the fun we had. My prayers and sympathy to her family.
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
I knew Birdice for many years. Always enjoyed visiting with her whenever I seen her. Going to miss those visits. Our deepest sympathy to all the family. She will be missed. God Bless!
Glen and Teena Bollinger
Rebecca Huseby Bollinger family says
Kim, Kally, and family,
So sorry for your loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rebecca, Corey, Rianne and Cade
Margaret Winter says
So sorry to leave of birdice’s passing. Was quite a shock for us. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Cousin Margaret and Kevin Winter
Becky Johnson Fuhs says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time…May God keep you all comforted…So Sorry for your loss.
JUDY DVORAK says
I was sorry to read of Birdie’s passing. I am Dave & Mary Garber’s daughter. My parents were great friends of Benny and Anne. I remember visiting your home as a kid. Birdie was my age—only couple months older. My how the years have flew by. Know that you are in my thoughts & prayers.
Judy Dvorak
Laura Dreyer Bleazard says
Dave and family, Berdice was such a special lady! My mom thought so much of her, first as a student and then as a friend and neighbor. I always admired that “spunk” she had about her that was always evident in the sparkle in her eyes. I can only imagine what a fun grandma she was. She will be missed by so many. Our thoughts and prays are with you all. Ross and Laura Dreyer Bleazard
Kay Wolff says
My thoughts and prayers for all of you at this hard time. Bert was such a great person.we always had fun playing with the cousins in Brockway
JR & Carol Bean says
Kally & Kim,
It’s so hard to lose your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May your memories bring you smiles and comfort.
Amanda Breitbach says
Sending you all deep sympathy. Birdice was a very special person and a wonderful neighbor. I have very fond memories of her.
Joann Sanders says
My condolences to your family.
I’m a distant long lost family member
Joann Sanders says
My condolences
I’m a long lost distant family member