Gayle Renee (Sloan) Twitchell, age 78, of Jordan, MT passed away peacefully at her home on December 10, 2024, surrounded by her family. Gayle was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014 and fought it courageously for the last 10 years, until the time of her passing. In true Gayle fashion, she survived a year and a half longer than the doctor thought she would.
Gayle was born on August 29, 1946, to Ann Schmidt MacDonald and John Sloan in Jordan, MT. Her mother later married John MacDonald, who Gayle thought the world of. She gained 3 siblings from this marriage, Kelly, Brian, and Steven. Her childhood was spent with her grandparents and uncles in Cohagen, MT. She made many wonderful memories on the farm. Gayle attended grade school at Cohagen and then attended Custer County High School for 3 years, before finishing her senior year in Jordan.
On July 4th, 1965, while he was on leave from Vietnam, she married Jay Twitchell in Jordan, MT. To this union was born Travis (Charity), Troy (Autumn), and Toni (Lee). They lived on the family ranch until Jay’s passing, when she moved to Jordan where she found a new enjoyment of buying all the new Christmas items hobby lobby had, traveling around with her sister, Kelly, and spending half her calf check at, In My Plants, on flowers each spring.
Gayle was a CNA at the Garfield County Hospital and made some wonderful lifelong friends that she worked with. In later years, Gayle had other jobs that she loved, she often told stories of when she worked at the Hell Creek Marina. She was a great caretaker for all and helped many families out during difficult times. The memories that seemed to make her smile the most are when she helped her friend Hallle with her chuckwagon for several summers. The times spent and stories she told with all her friends always made her smile and get a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Gayle’s family was very special to her, as was anyone who entered her home, you never left hungry or thirsty. She loved to fish, and the kids have many wonderful memories of Sundays at Short Creek with all the neighbors. Gayle had a bark that was worse than her bite, but you still knew when you had pushed her buttons, which we all liked to do.
Gayle, also known as Grandma G, was a favorite with her grandchildren. Whether it be flying kites on a windy day, craft time, dying Easter eggs, playing her board games, or just spending the night at the ranch, time spent with her was always a treasure. In recent years, she gained four great-grandchildren that she loved to have stop and visit her.
Gayle is survived by her three children, Travis (Charity) Twitchell of Lincoln, NE, Troy (Autumn) Twitchell of Jordan, MT, Toni (Lee) Murnion of Jordan, MT; Twelve grandchildren, Brice and Kendra Twitchell, Destiny (Brice) Perry, Kaycee (Will) South, Jaelin and Brody Twitchell, Zach (Grace) Murnion, Cody (Lauren) Murnion, Kevin (Makenna) Murnion, Cole, Brenna, and Jason Murnion; Four Great-Grandchildren, Walker, Hayes, Hallie, and Crue; Siblings, Kelly (Ross) Childers, Brian (Tammy), Steven (LaVonne); In Laws, Judd and Eva Twitchell, Jadee Twitchell, and Jerry Twitchell. She also has numerous nieces and nephews that were very special to her.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jay; Mother Ann; and John MacDonald; Sister In Law Jane Wille; and her brother in law Joe Twitchell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gayle’s name to her family, in hopes to establish a fund, due to limited resources, for families in need of hospice items during their time of need.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, December 16, 2024, at the VFW Hall in Jordan. Interment will follow in the family lot of Pioneer Cemetery. Following the funeral service, a luncheon will be held at the VFW Hall.
Service Schedule
Interment
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Monday December 16, 2024
Pioneer Cemetery
Jordan, Montana 59337
Service Schedule
Interment
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Monday December 16, 2024
Pioneer Cemetery
Jordan, Montana 59337
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Kayla Higgins says
Troy, Autumn, Destiny, Kaycee, Jaelin, Brody and the rest of Gayle’s family and friends.
I am so so very sorry for your loss of such a wonderful, amazing and loving lady. I always enjoyed visiting with her. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time and into the future difficult times. Sending you all lots of love and hugs. I am here if you need anything. Love you
Candy Huseby says
Thoughts and prayers to all of Gayle’s family. I will miss her a lot. God bless
Myron & Mary Beth Kibler says
It is with sadness for Gayle’s family that I read this today. She was a very special person, hard worker and a true friend. I believe that heaven is a wonderful place and it is us on earth who will miss her. She and Jay are having quite a reunion.
Allison Campbell says
To the Twitchell Family. I am so sorry to hear about Gayle. Hugs and prayers for you all
Brady Stone says
Gayle,
A Mother, Grandmother, wife, Den mother and everything in-between. To me she was a good friend. Always happy to see you and hear the news of the country. Always willing to give advice and never one to beat around the bush. A good cook and the best fisher women in the big dry badlands. You will be missed.
Love you,
Brady and Jodi Stone
Kam L Murnion says
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, hugs and prayers to your family.
Mike and Teddy Landers says
To the Twitchell family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Gayle will be missed by many. Our prayers are with you all.
Karen James Barnes says
My condolences to all of Gayle’s family at this sad time. May all your good memories be a comfort to you at this time. She will be missed by so many. God Bless all.
Tim & Cheri Hafla says
Our deepest sympathy to all of Gayle’s Family, she will be deeply missed.Our prayers are with you all.
Sandra Barclay says
So very sorry to hear of Gayle’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Mary Ann Murray says
So sorry to see that Gayle passed. Thinking of all of her family during this difficult time. Cherish the memories. Prayers for all of you.
Richard Galla says
To all the Twitcell family sorry for your loss she will be missed.
Bucky Billing says
Some of my best memories, with Gayle and Jay. Ice fishing at short creek and “Stubby’s”
Jadee Twitchell Wilken says
I’m sorry to hear that Gayle passed away. She was a good sister-in-law, and I will always think of Jay when I think of her. I have lots of good memories involving them both. My deepest sympathies to Travis, Troy, Toni and the extended families. You are in my thoughts and prayers, and I send you my love.
Rita Wemmer says
My heart and prayers go out for Gayle’s family. Such a wonderful person. May the Lord bless and comfort all. ❤️🙏🏻
Diane (Rath) Hewett says
To all of Gayle’s family and friends,
I am very sorry for your loss. God bless you all as you learn to navigate life without Gayle. Those beautiful memories will help carry you through.
Sincerely, Diane (Rath) Hewett ❤️🙏❤️
Donald & Betty Lou Weeding says
Our prayers and thoughts go out to all of Gayle’s family. She was a special person. God Bless you all.
Glenn and Katie Hageman says
My first rememberance of Gayle was when she stayed in the dorm, her senior year of high school. She was the first up, dressed to the nines! She had a talent doing hair and was called on for many haircuts. When she married Jay and moved to the Twitchell ranch, they too became our family’s great neighbors and friends. Lots of fine memories were made on Flat Creek. Our sympathy is extended to all of the family.
Dale Marcil says
We always enjoyed time spent with Gayle and Jay . Our thoughts and prayers are with the Twitchell Familys. Dale and Linda Marcil
Jan ronning says
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Gayle’s family. Gayle was one of a kind and a strong woman that I greatly admired. Rest high on that mountain Gayle.
Randy Lancaster says
Judd, Eva and Twitchell family sorry to hear of your loss.
Donovan Currey says
To all of Gayle’s family I send prayers. Gayle was a very special lady and I always treasured the occasion’s when I would return to Jordan and bump into Gayle. She had that big contagious smile and a hug to go along with it. She was a beautiful person and will be missed.
Janelle (Curry) Jensen, Sidney MT says
Toni and Family, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Gayle sounded like a one-of-a-kind gal! I am so happy to know that she was yours to call mom. Hug each other often, and embrace the love she had for you all. That’s a special feeling that will last a lifetime.
Cindy Stanton says
Dear Toni and all of Gayle’s family,
My condolences for the loss of your mom, Grandma, sister, etc. Gayle was a great person. She was always ambitious and busy. My folks considered both Jaye and Gayle friends and enjoyed their company over the years., especially at rodeos, the lake, and pretty much any social event in town. I’m sad to see this generation leave us. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I know in my heart that Gayle is well and whole again and breathing easily in the arms of God. May he bless you and give you all comfort and peace.
Barb & Bruce Morgan says
MacDonald & Twitchell Families,
My memories of branding and docking up and down the Van Norman Road included a remarkable Rancher, cook, wrangler, and homemaker, Gayle Twitchell. Prayers and special thoughts for you all. She was quite the lady with loads of spunk and mischief! Hugs and love to you all!
Bill and Rita FirzGerald says
A day late and a dollar short is not just a saying! Bill and I learned today of Gayle’s joining Jay. There is a sadness in her loss but a joy that her fight with cancer is over. Jay probably had things for her to do and people to feed. She will be missed. Our heartfelt prayers to all of Gayle’s family for God to send The Comforter to see you through the days to come.
LINDA J KOUNTZ says
Travis, Troy and Toni and families your mom was one of the first people I met when we moved to the ranch. She was one of the nicest persons I have ever met. Her long struggle with cancer is finally over. I know how heartbroken you all are with her loss my love goes out to you all.
Bill/Madonna Ryan says
You will be missed, sorry to the family for your loss, thoughts and prayers to you