Edna Virginia Gackle went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Friday, March 23, 2018 in Billings, MT.
Edna was born to George and Mary Sept, July 17, 1926 in Terry, MT. She received her education in Brockway, MT. On June 3, 1945, she married her husband, Richard Oscar Gackle in the Zion Congregational Church in Watkins, MT. Richard and Edna met and began dating at the church when Richard was 17 and Edna was 14 while attending youth meetings, Sunday School and other church related events. Since all services were conducted in German, Richard and Edna attended the German Congregational Confirmation classes. After their marriage, they lived on Richard’s parents’ farm in Watkins, MT for four years, until they purchased their own farm, three miles north of Circle, MT in 1949. There, they made their home and were blessed with eight children. Together, they farmed wheat, barley, oats, safflower, raised cattle and sheep, and successfully ran one the few dairy farms operated in McCone County.
During the years of working together on the farm, Edna’s primary focus was raising eight children and supporting her husband. She also spent a lot of time attending the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Circle and assisted Richard and other volunteers in building the new Evangelical Church of North America in Circle. If the church doors were open, you could be assured that the Gackles were there for nearly every service.
Edna loved growing her Pansies, Four O’Clocks and many other varieties of flowers. She cared for her gardens and they were a great source of pride and joy for her. Edna was a selfless person, whose life was dedicated to raising her family, teaching and directing by example, both in the home and on the farm. In the fall of 2011, Edna left the farm to live with her children in Billings until she went to be with her Lord and Savior.
Edna is survived by her brother, Billy (Reba) Sept, Circle, MT; and her children, Merlin (Lynne) Gackle, Woodway (Waco), TX; Marilyn (Mike) Leikam, Worden, MT; Myron (Pauline) Gackle, Circle, MT; Marlys (Dennis) Erickson, Vida, MT; Marzene (Jose) Bustos, Billings, MT; Marlo (Jeri) Gackle, Loganville, GA; Michael (Kyleen) Gackle, Circle, MT and Maynard Gackle of Billings, MT. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Edna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard, her parents, George and Mary Sept; her brothers, Herb and (Bea) Sept and Harold Sept. Edna’s wish is that any memorials be used for Christian ministry.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle, MT. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Church in Circle. Interment will be held in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive, MT. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 28, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
702 Lehman Ave
Circle, MT 59215
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday March 29, 2018
Circle Evangelical Church
1000 C Avenue
Circle, MT 59215
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 28, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
702 Lehman Ave
Circle, MT 59215
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday March 29, 2018
Circle Evangelical Church
1000 C Avenue
Circle, MT 59215
Share
joyce wilcox says
Whenever I needed a motherly hug, your arms were always welcoming and so loving. When I was hungry you fed me. You, and Maynard and Marilyn always had lunch and treats waiting for me when I stopped by and made me feel so welcome. We would hold hands and reminisce. I knew you loved me and I loved you. I knew you were so homesick and left many tears on your pillow… now you’re home. I can’t wait to see you again. I know you’re laughing and loving on Uncle Dick, my mom and the rest of your family and running free. You always said you loved to run so run to Jesus.
Janiah Miles says
My condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. Losing someone you love is truly difficult and I know Edna will be missed. Please know our Heavenly Father holds out promises that can help us with our sorrow. One such promise is that death soon will be done away with forever (Revelation 21:4) and another promise is that “there is going to be a resurrection.” (Acts 24:15) I pray these promises from God, who cannot lie, (Titus 1:2) bring you comfort.
Harvey & Trudy Kirkegard says
To the Gackle Families,
Harvey and I want to express our sincere condolences in the loss of your mother! Edna was such a caring and loving person, always handing out hugs in church, and expressing her love of God. I can remember growing up and sometimes spending time at the Gackle farm, and could always smell something baking in the oven. She will be greatly missed and we wish God’s blessings upon her family!
Derry and Marlyce Long says
Derry and I want to extend our sympathies to the Gackle families. Edna was proud of her children and their families and leaves a wonderful heritage of Christian faith. She always had a hug for us!
Sheila and Arden Schwartz says
To the Gackle families , what loving memories we have, I as a young girl and all the Christmas programs, youth group meetings, and the loving support that Edna served so graciously.May God grant you His comfort as you cherish the time together. As a young couple in the church your parents were always great models in our life. Sheila and Arden Schwartz
Laura Wittenberg says
My love and sympathy to all of Edna’s family. Edna was a dear friend, so full of love and compassion. After she moved to Billings, whenever we talked on the phone, she never ended a call without saying ” I love you and miss you.” I will really miss her. Maynard, she always told me that you took such good care of her. May you all find comfort in knowing she’s with Jesus and your Dad.
Karen Dyk says
Myron & Pauline & family, I will always remember the day we were at your home with Edna & your dad & we cleaned how many chickens to get ready for the freezer? Edna & your dad were such fun & it made a memory for me! So thankful she is with her precious Saviour. Savor the memories! Hugs, Karen Dyk
Sarah S. (Gackle) Manke says
This is very belated, as I was not aware until recently. My Aunt Edna was a wonderful Christian mother, wife & grandmother, great-grandmother and Aunt. She was very kind, sweet & loving to me when we used to have all of
the Gackle family members together. Marlys is the closest cousin to me/my age and I knew that Marlys loved her mother dearly. I am deeply saddened to learn of this great loss to Aunt Edna’s earthly family….and I can only imagine the absolutely wonderful family reunion she is having with Jesus and all of our family members in Heaven.
What a wonderful eternal day that will be when we all are with our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, together forever!