Gayetta Mader, age 101, of Biddle, Montana passed away on September 9, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska.
Gayetta Maurine Mader was born September 6, 1918. She was adopted as an infant by Lester and Estella (Thrailkill) Kellogg. She spent her early years in Idaho and Montana as her dad moved around often for work. Maurine lost her dad in an accident when she was 7 and three years later her mom was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Expecting to have a short life, Estella arranged for Maurine to grow up in Mooseheart, City of the Child, a home for children of Moose Lodge members, near Chicago. However, Estella did not lose her battle with TB and showed up to Mooseheart on Maurine’s 15th birthday to take her home. She always said it was the best birthday present ever! Maurine returned home and lived with her mother and grandmother on their homestead until her mother got married to Andy Jones. She completed high school in Broadus and earned her teaching degree in Billings at Eastern Montana College. She returned to the Biddle area, teaching at Blacktail and Bay Horse schools. Maurine married John Thomas “Tom” Mader August 27, 1938. As their family grew, they built a larger home together moving from the “old place” to the current house in 1950. In the mid-90’s Maurine was introduced to a biological cousin Fran and enjoyed getting to know her. Maurine invested deeply in her family, raising 6 children while gardening, sewing, caring for pets, tending chickens and living ranch life. She collected and recorded weather information daily for over 40 years, receiving recognition from the National Weather Service in 2003.
Maurine loved music and played piano both for enjoyment and for church. One of the things she especially enjoyed was having everyone home together and making music. In her later years after Tom passed away, Maurine enjoyed opportunities to travel, visiting Omaha, Nebraska most often. She spent time with Patsy, Steve and Danny enjoying music, the busyness of the city and being together. Maurine loved her family and was a wonderful mom, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother.
Gayetta was preceded in death by her husband John Thomas “Tom” Mader, sons Harold Glen and John Thomas “Tommy” Mader and grandson Terry Mader. She is survived by daughters Mina Chapman of Cheyenne, WY and Patsy (Steve) Sabra of Omaha, NE, sons Doug (Ellen) Mader of Tulsa, OK and Dave (Donna) Mader of Biddle, MT, 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren and 1 great-great-great grandchild.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Bible Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the Bowers Creek Cemetery at Biddle. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Biddle Community Heritage Center or to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday September 18, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
101 Wilson Street
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday September 19, 2019
Faith Bible Church
102 E Morris St
Broadus, Montana 59317
Luncheon
Will directly follow the funeral service.
Thursday September 19, 2019
Faith Bible Church
102 E Morris St
Broadus, Montana 59317
Interment
Will follow the luncheon
Thursday September 19, 2019
Bowers Creek Cemetery
Biddle, Montana 59314
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday September 18, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
101 Wilson Street
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday September 19, 2019
Faith Bible Church
102 E Morris St
Broadus, Montana 59317
Luncheon
Will directly follow the funeral service.
Thursday September 19, 2019
Faith Bible Church
102 E Morris St
Broadus, Montana 59317
Interment
Will follow the luncheon
Thursday September 19, 2019
Bowers Creek Cemetery
Biddle, Montana 59314
Share
Nancy Mader says
What a blessing she was! I will always remember her kindness to me.
Vickie Miller says
What a blessing Maurine always was to me. We cooked together and loved Jesus together! Loved her as a friend and sister ❣️❣️
Steve and LeAnn Rhodes says
Oh, how we will all miss her great wisdom of the Lord. She will truly missed by all who knew her!
Brad Powell says
Condolences
Tedi Jo Williams says
So very sorry to hear this… She was quite a lady. I will always love the memory of picking apples with her.
Carol Schneidt says
My thoughts and prayers to the Mader family. Maureen was a wonderful woman!
Ted and Cathy says
We are thinking of all Maureen’s family. She was a wonderful part of our community and we will remember her as the great lady and neighbor she was.
Cindy L. May says
So sorry for your loss. She was a special, kind hearted, lady. Thinking of all of you.
Dick and Holly says
Sending love and all the good memories to the Mader family on the loss of this wonderful woman! She was one of the kindest people I ever had the pleasure to know.
Ginger says
God bless that sweet lady!
Thinking of the Mader family and wishing quick peace and comfort.
Ronnie and Sharilyn Harvey says
Prayers and condolences for the family.
Doris Bayles says
So sorry to hear of your loss. I did not know her but I think I met at church with Dave and Donna! My God keep in his care as have to go thru this suffering. Love u and praying for you!
Jane Thompson says
Wonderful kind and beautiful Lady. Our families were friends for many years. Many memories through the years.
My sincere sympathies to all of Maurine’s Family.
Joy Peters says
Didnt know this lady but you can see Jesus shining thru her face in this sweet pose. 💕
Glen Burton says
RIP You raised a wonderful family.
Lance and Darlene Clark says
Maureen and Tom were wonderful, kind and genuine to the core.
My Mother Darlene Clark played music at the Broadus Assembly of God church for years.
Maureen, you are now in heaven with Tom and countless ages.
Our thoughts and prayers with all of Maureen’s family, including our friends Eva and Becca.
Darlene Clark says
Maureen,
Time flies and the years pass!
I cherish our friendship and time spent playing music and singing at Sunday service in Broadus.
I have thought of you often over the years since moving to Miles City.
You are loved, well thought of and have a wonderful line of family members six generations long.
In the end, our faith, family and relationships are the golden treasures we have.
Thoughts and prayers to all of the Mader families.
God bless you All!
Darlene Clark
Kelli Rooney says
Condolences and prayers to the family and friends of this wonderful Christian lady. I didn’t know her but her picture caught my attention. It’s beautiful!
Jim and Kathy Bowers says
So sorry for your loss, what a wonderfully long life she had. May she rest in peace!
Pat Traub says
My deepest sympathy to the Mader family.