Gail Stevens, 78 of Joliet, Montana passed away Friday, November 1,2024 at home surrounded by the love of her family. She was born January 9,1946 in Miles City, Montana, the daughter of Jim and Gerry (Willson) Griffin
Gail was raised northwest of Ekalaka, Montana near Fallon Creek on a cattle ranch. In the early years she attended a one room school house near the family ranch. She would ride her horse, Strawberry, to the school in the mornings, throw the reins over his neck and send him home. She would then walk home after school.
In 1956 the family moved southeast of Medora, North Dakota on a cattle ranch located in the beautiful Badlands. She continued her education through 8th grade in a one room school house at Rocky Ridge. She still rode Strawberry to and from school.
Gail attended high school in both Joliet and Belfield. Graduating from Belfield in 1964. After high school she attended Billings Business College obtaining a degree in accounting. Following college, she went to work at the Farmers & Merchants new branch bank in Medora. Here is where she started dating Norm. They were united in marriage December 22,1966 in Belfield, North Dakota.
Following Norms discharge from the United States Army they moved to Montana, settling in Joliet. Norm attended Montana State University and Gail worked at the First National Bank of Billings. In October of 1969 they welcomed the first of two daughters, Kelly Ann, and sister Lindsey Lynn would follow in July of 1978.
In 1972 they purchased a ranch west of Joliet where they raised cattle and sheep. Soon raising pure breed Suffolk sheep which became Gail’s passion. Gail took care of the ranch and raised two daughters while Norm followed his civil engineering career.
Gail excelled in the industry of registered Suffolk sheep. Her selective breeding program produced sheep that topped the Miles City Ram sale 28 consecutive years. She won countless grand champion awards at the Montana Fair and Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE). Prior to retiring from the Suffolk sheep industry all of her lambs were sold before they were born. What a legacy she left behind, which will be hard for future breeders to follow.
Besides raising sheep, Gail enjoyed team roping and bowling. Gail threw a 16-pound bowling ball for many years. She bowled on a women’s league for 50 years. Throughout her years, she won many mixed team roping’s as a heeler. She was both Kelly and Lindsey’s head rodeo coach, unquestionably their biggest fan and critic. She put on countless miles hauling both girls from one end of this state to the other. She loved border collies, sheep dogs, and good horses and always made sure that both girls were riding the best. Gail was still riding up until a few years ago.
Gail could operate a skid steer loader better than most men and was able to back up a 27-foot goose neck trailer absolutely anywhere. She passed these skills onto both daughters. She was an expert shot with a rifle, but never wanting to kill anything …targets only.
She was extremely strong for her size. She could handle hay bales more than her body weight alone. She was not an outspoken person and kept all criticisms to herself except to her husband and daughters.
Gail didn’t take many vacations from the ranch; she loved her home and animals. Norm and Gail took a late honeymoon trip and saw most of the sights that Australia had to offer in 2010. She had the best time on this trip, saying it was truly well worth the wait.
It was stated at her father’s funeral that he was one of the best cowboys to come down the Pike…Without a doubt we can say the same for Gail…. She was truly, one of the best cowgirls to come down the Pike.
Gail is survived by her husband Norm, Daughters Kelly Ann (Larry) Liljenquist, Lindsey Lynn (Jim) Wiederrich, Brother Lynn (Amiee) Griffin, Granddaughters Keyanna (Tyler)Bare, Chandra (Luke Krogh) MacDonald, Alexis, Elizabeth, and Grace Liljenquist, Great Granddaughters Everly and Hallie Bare as well as many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents Jim and Gerry Griffin and Stepfather Norm McKeen.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be held at the Knowlton Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 6, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Thursday November 7, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 6, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Thursday November 7, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Jim and Annalise Willson says
Norm and Family; we are so sorry to hear about Gail. She was such a wonderful cousin. We always enjoyed our visits and remember how well she took care of Grandma Esther Willson. Gail also had a herd of Sheep that was second to none. Those Suffolks sheep Gail had were top of the line. Gail usually topped the Miles City Ram Sale with those rams. We were so glad to be able to visit Gail and Norm at Aunt Ona Lee Willson’s 90th birthday celebration in July this year. Going to Joliet, MT. will never be the same .
Love and prayers
Cousin Jim and Annalise Willson
Denise O'Brien Person says
Gail and I were friends in High School. She was a good friend. Unfortunately, we lost touch after we graduated.
We lived across the street from each other in Belfield(me with my grandparents, her with Glenda & family). I spent a memorable weekend with Gail at their ranch. I remember we rode horse, we cooked, did chores and tried our skill with hula hoops. She was much better at it than I was. Gail was a pretty girl. She worked hard, studied hard and was very serious about taking care of whatever needed to be done. I’m sure she will be missed by her family.
Ron/June Tibbetts says
Sad to hear about Gail.Back in the day we sure had fun at High School rodeos with our girls competing. Prayers for all the family🙏🙏🙏
Mike Willson says
GAIL left that impression on everyone she met, “I am Top Knotch, and I mean what I say, I don’t say it, unless it is true!! I loved seeing Gail and Norm!! My condolences to Norm and the girls, Gail will be missed, everywhere!! RIP Gail.
MaryAnn Hecker says
Sorry to see Gail’s name in the obituaries. She was a good friend from Belfield High School. My sympathy to her family.
Kathy and Mike Berscheid says
Gail’s animals meant everything to her! This included horses and donkeys, dogs and cats, sheep, cows, goats, llamas, and even birds. Mike and I miss the sound of her skidsteer working, working, working around the barn, seeing her dolled up and driving down the drive on bowling day, and especially her Spring lambs jumping in the pasture. Gail worked harder than any man and looked good doing it, dressed up in Carhart coveralls, pretty hair under a brim and always with lipstick in her pocket, knowing that a prospective sheep buyer would frequently show up and who was always welcomed. Her sheep were magnificent!
As Gail and Norm’s neighbors of 31 years, we will miss her so much!
Thank you Gail for making our lives better…
Mike and Kathy Berscheid
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Aunt Ona Lee, Norm, Kelly Ann, Lindsey & family as well as Lynn & family,
I’m so very sorry to hear of Gail’s passing. I wish I had stayed in touch over the years, but life got in the way. From the time I first met Gail, even up until now, I admired how well she lived her life. She was a real classy cowgirl. May your memories comfort & keep you all as time goes by.
Cheri McNeiley says
Norm, Kelly & Lisa, I was so sorry to hear the loss of Gail. Such a wonderful lady. She will be missed by all that knew her. Had fun times bowling with her.