Funeral Services: Saturday, April 24, 2004 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth
Internment: will be in the Lee Cemetery near Colstrip
Genie May Garfield passed away on April 20, 2004 at Bear Creek Respite Care Center in Bozeman, Montana. She was 82. Genie was born in Forsyth, Montana on June 28, 1921, the only child of Malcolm (Mac) and Edith May Cox (May) Philbrick. She was the second baby born in the Rosebud County Hospital. Genie was raised on the Howard and Butte ranches on the Rosebud Creek where her father raised sheep and cattle with his parents.
She attended first grade in Forsyth where she lived with her aunt and uncle, Fred and Wana Cox. Genies mother, May, was so lone'some for her daughter that she started the Philbrick School on the Rosebud so Genie could come home. Genie attended the small country school for her remaining grade school years often riding her horse to school. Genie attended high school in Forsyth where she graduated in 1938 at the age of 16. Again, she lived away from home with the Marcellus family during this part of her schooling. Genie attended Montana State College in 1938 and 1939. There she became a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, an association she cherished throughout her life.
In 1940 Genie moved to Northfield, Minnesota where she worked in the admissions office of Carlton College. In 1941 Genie began work in Spokane, Washington at the Second U. S. Air Force headquarters. In 1942 the unit moved to Salt Lake City and later returned to Spokane. Genie served as secretary to several officers during her career with the Civil Service.
On May 11, 1943 Genie married Major Russell Merritt Garfield at Fort George Wright chapel in Spokane. They spent their honeymoon traveling by train to Washington, D.C. where Russell received his orders to go overseas. Genie went on to New York City where she met two of her sisters-in-law for the first time in the lobby of the Commodore Hotel. The city was in a blackout. The three women went on to Hinsdale, New Hampshire, the Garfields home, where Genie stayed for part of the time while Russell was away. She also returned to the ranch on the Rosebud Creek during the war.
In 1945 Russell was discharged and Genie and Russ moved to Hinsdale where Russell was the manager of the Ashuelot Paper Company. In 1952, their only child, Debra Jane, was born. Genie was very active in community interests in Hinsdale. She was a Girl Scout leader, a volunteer for the Red Cross, a member of Eastern Star, Hinsdale Womens Club, and she was the Republican Party chairwoman in Hinsdale. She also devoted many years to the Hinsdale school system serving on the planning board and as chairwomen of the school board for eight years. E
In 1973 Russell retired and he and Genie fulfilled her dream of returning to Montana. They took over the operation of the Diamond Ranch following Genies fathers death. Genie was a charter member of the Northern Plains Resource Council and served on its board. She was president of Rosebud Protective Association. Additionally, she served on the Rosebud County Planning Board, the Rosebud County Literacy Council and she was a board member of First Interstate Bank in Colstrip. Genie loved animals and there was hardly a time in her life when she didn't own a dog and several cats.. She was a skilled horsewoman, knowledgeable rancher, and a good steward of the land. In 1982 Russell passed away. Genie remained on the Diamond Ranch until 2001 when health issues made it necessary for her to move nearer her daughter and family.
During her stay at Bear Creek Respite Care Center, Genie challenged her caregivers with her determination and evoked a chuckle with her wit and sense of humor. She unfailingly asked every day about her grandson, Tyler, while he was away at school. Foremost on her mind was the operation of her beloved ranch.
Genie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Debby and Jim Bangs of Bozeman; her grandson, Tyler, also of Bozeman; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Shirley and George Hanna of Keene, New Hampshire; her brother-in-law, Dr. John Worden of Brattleboro, Vermont: her brother-in-law, Ralph Burnham, of Phoenix, Arizona; her loyal ranch managers, the Davenport family of Forsyth; her nieces and nephews; her cousin, Janet Davies of Plockton, Scotland; and her cousin Peter Kelsey of Surrey, England.
Genie was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Russell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Genies name may be made to the Northern Plains Resource Council or the Rosebud Protective Association at 2401 Montana Avenue, #200, Billings, MT 59101; the Rosebud County Animal Shelter, Box 597, Colstrip, MT 59323; or the Russell M. Garfield Memorial Scholarship Fund at Dartmouth College, Office of Endowment Administration, 7 Lebanon Street #307, Hanover, NH 03755.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 24, 2004 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Burial will be in the Lee Cemetery near Colstrip. Visitation will be on Friday, April 23, 2004 in the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
Condolences can be sent to the Garfield family at www.stevensonandsons.com
Stevenson & Sons
Funeral Home of Forsyth is in charge of the arrangements.
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