Garnett Stengel

Visitation: Monday, January 9, 2006 with the family to receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Funeral Service: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Miles City

Interment: will follow at the Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery in Miles City

Garnette Nick Stengel, age 83, of Miles City passed away on January 7, 2006 in the Hospice Unit at Holy Rosary Health Extended Care in Miles City with her husband and sons at her side.

Garnette was born on Christmas Eve in 1922 accompanied by her twin brother Gerald to parents Lloyd and Mary (Krueger) Nichols in Clearbrook, MN. Shortly thereafter, her family moved to Bemidji, MN where she grew up and attended school and graduated from Bemidji High in 1940. She attended Bemidji State College. In 1944, Garnette married Charles Marmorine. Charles was an Air Force Pilot and died when his plane went down in the Himalayan Mountains of India near the end of WWII. She then returned to Bemidji and lived with her parents, taught at the Business College and worked as a secretary for her brother-in-law, Harold Dickinson.

On August 13, 1949, Nick married Paul Casey Stengel and their honeymoon consisted of the drive from Bemidji to Malta, MT where Casey had accepted a teaching position to start his career in education. Sons Paul (1950) and David (1955) were born and in addition to raising them, Nick was instrumental in helping Casey earn his Masters degree from the University of Montana. Return trips from Missoula often went through Glacier Park which she considered the most beautiful area in the state. She also found time to be involved in Eastern Star and was a past Worthy Matron of the Malta Chapter. After 17 great years in Malta, the Stengels moved to Wolf Point in 1966. She continued to be an active participant in the Malta, P.E.O. Chapter AK and held a succession of state offices leading up to President of the State chapter in 1972-1973. During this time she traveled to and visited every chapter in the state of Montana. Both of her sons graduated from Wolf Point High School, and she was a very proud parent attending their many school activities and athletic events.

Nick and Casey moved to Miles City in 1976 and have enjoyed their 30 years there very much. Together they were fixtures at most of the local high school activities; they particularly enjoyed band and choral concerts, as well as all the athletic events. They also traveled the state to attend their grandchildren’s soccer matches, concerts and school events. Garnette was blessed with a beautiful voice and singing was always a joy for her. She sang in the Bemidji State College Choir and was always a staple in the local church choir. She would also sing at special events such as weddings and funerals. Bowling was always a favorite activity and she became an accomplished bowler while in Malta. It should also be noted that Nick first met Casey at a bowling alley in Bemidji.

Following Caseys retirement in 1989, came his involvement in AARP and a considerable amount of traveling not only in the state, but across the country. Nick thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to accompany Casey as they encountered many new experiences in numerous locations. Garnette was loved by many and will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Mary Nichols, brother and sister in law Ward and Chris Nichols, sister and brother in law Glee and Harold Dickinson.

Nick is survived by her husband Paul Casey Stengel of Miles City, two sons; Paul Jr. (Merle) Stengel of Lewistown, MT and David (Roberta) Stengel of Missoula, MT, her twin brother Gerald (Fern) Nichols of Bemidji, MN and two grandchildren; Aaron and Kassi.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 9, 2006 with the family to receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Miles City. Interment will follow at the Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com

Should friends desire, the family suggests memorials be made to Holy Rosary Hospice; 2600 Wilson, Miles City, MT 59301, R.O.C.K.S., or to the Custer County Scholarship Fund.