Stevenson & Sons Funeral Homes

Serving families in the Miles City, Forsyth, Lame Deer, Broadus, Circle, Jordan and Terry areas for three generations.

For Immediate Help Call
Miles City: 406-232-4457 — Forsyth: 406-346-2311

In Memory Of

Kelly Gardner, age 76, of Miles City.

August 31, 1942 – November 8, 2018

Kelly Lee Gardner passed away peacefully in his sleep on  November 8, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. Kelly was 76 years old.

Kelly was born on August 31, 1942 in Riverton WY to Louise Mazet Gardner and Eugene Gardner.  Kelly was joined by his brother Jerry in 1945. The Gardner family lived on the 91 Ranch in Meeteetse WY for several years during Kelly’s childhood.  The family moved to Belfry where Kelly attended high school. The Gardners then moved to Absarokee Kelly’s junior year. Being the self-sufficient man he was, Kelly chose to stay in Belfry to work for family friends and to finish high school. Kelly then graduated in 1960 a proud Belfry Bat.

After high school, Kelly moved to Fargo North Dakota to attend a tech school and become a mechanic.  It was during this time Kelly and Marge met and were later married in July 1963. That same year, Kelly visited a high school friend in Miles City and found a position at Love Motors and their journey together began. In 1971 Kevin was added to the young family followed by Melissa in 1975.  Kelly worked at the Ford garage until 1986 when he fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning his own business. Kelly’s Auto was a successful business until his retirement in 2016.

During his years Kelly was an active member of the community and supported many events and organizations.  He was especially proud of being an ELKS member, trustee and member of the year. He loved hunting, fishing, golfing and spending time with his family.  Kelly liked to start each morning with his coffee group at Gallaghers sharing stories and telling jokes. Kelly could be found on the weekends at a local restaurant having breakfast with his grandkids.  He also loved to cheer on the Cowboy/Cowgirls sports teams. He spent many hours cheering on his grandkids during their various activities. He has attended many a little league baseball game, little guy football game, golf meet, and many dance recitals.

Kelly was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Louise Gardner.     Kelly is survived by his wife Marge, a son Kevin (Andi), daughter Melissa and brother Jerry (Linda) Gardner, nieces Nicole Gardner and Rachelle (Keith )Sayers and their families, grandsons Matthew and Ryan Gardner and granddaughter Jenna Gardner.  Kelly is also survived by his aunts Jackie  and Doris Mazet and numerous cousins.

The family would like to thank everybody that was instrumental in encouraging and supporting Kelly during his battle.  A special thank you to Dr Fabregas and to all the nurses and staff at both Billings Clinic and Holy Rosary Hospital who cared for him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wake Up and Lace Up, 107 Balsam Dr. Miles City, MT. 59301.

Family to Receive Friends will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday November 15, 2018 at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 16, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Thursday November 15, 2018

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

Miles City, MT

View map

Funeral Service

11:00 a.m.

Friday November 16, 2018

Grace Bible Church

3505 Stower Street

Miles City, MT

View map

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Thursday November 15, 2018

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

Miles City, MT

View map

Funeral Service

11:00 a.m.

Friday November 16, 2018

Grace Bible Church

3505 Stower Street

Miles City, MT

View map

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Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  1. Kelly,s family; I am so sorry for your loss! If I was outside, when he was on his daily walks, he would stop and visit. Miss seeing him walking by each morning. He was a great mechanic, and took care of a lot of peoples cars, over the years. Sending hugs and prayers during this difficult time.

  2. Kelly’s family; we are sorry to hear of your loss! Kelly was the go to guy for all your mechanic needs, and a great asset to our community. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gardener family during this difficult time.

  3. Dear Gardner Family –
    I am so sorry to hear this news! Kelly was the best mechanic I have ever known and I always fully trusted him to take good care of my cars. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this difficult time.

  4. So sad to hear you lost Kelly. Always could count on him for doing mechanic work on vehicles.
    He was a super nice guy to know too. Your in our thoughts and prayers. May super memories help you through this tough time. May he rest in peace.

  5. R.i.p. Kelly , you were a very dear friend .my sympathy to all the Kelly family.terry becker

  6. To all Kelly’s family, we send our sympathy. What a great guy and a gentleman. Loved the way he supported the sports teams in Miles City over the years. You are in our prayers. Mary Ann & Jim Liles

  9. So sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing, when my elderly parents moved to Miles, Kelly was their mechanic and friend. Kelly also did lots of work for me, you could always count on your problem being solved when Kelly was done with your vehicle.

  10. Gardner Family,
    So sad to hear of Kelly’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.

  11. Melissa & family, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Hold onto all those special memories & know he is in Gods hands & is watching over you all still. ❤️ My love to all

  13. I’m so sorry for your loss of your dad and husband. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you😢😘

  14. Marge and family, so saddened to see Kelly has passed. Prayers of peace and comfort during this difficult time.

  16. Melissa, Marge and family we are so sorry for your loss! OuWe
    Hugs and more hugs,

  17. Melissa, Marge and family we are so sorry for your loss!
    Hugs and more hugs,

  18. Oh Melissa! I am so sorry for your loss. You were a wonderful caretaker and cheerleader for your dad. Please let me know what we can do for you and your mom. He will be very missed.

    Klista, Cory, Lane, and Kaia

  19. We send our condolences to the Kelly Gardner family! May the Lord bless you all at this sad time for your family. We love you all and you are in our families prayers. Your cousin’s in Wyoming and Utah are all thinking of you and praying for your comfort at losing your precious father, brother, and uncle.

  20. Gardner Family, So sorry to hear about the passing of Kelly. He was a super sweet man that will always have a special place in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  21. Oh Melissa I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you my friend!!

  22. So sad to hear this news. Kelly taught me a lot about mechanics and life when I first started in this business. He will be missed and remembered.

  24. Stan and I were so sorry to hear about Kelly’s passing. I prayed for Kelly and Marge every night and anyone else who is dealing with this terrible disease. It takes so many precious people at an early age. We pray God will give you all the strength to get through this sad time and we are sending our Blessings and prayers to each and everyone of you. He was everyone in Miles City’s go to mechanic for sure and Marge continued prayers for you and the kids and their families.

  25. Heaven just gained the best mechanic ever and Miles City lost one of our finest people and community supporters! May you find comfort and peace in the days and years to come!
    Denise and Jay Harvey

  26. Kevin and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I pray you find comfort in wonderful memories. God Bless you all.
    Sandy

  27. I have many good memories of early morning coffee at Gallaghers. Hugs and prayers for all of you in this difficult time!
    God Bless

  28. I AM SO SORRY TO HERE OF KELLYS PASSING! He was such a nice man and probably the most honest mechanic I have ever known. God Bless you all….

  29. Dear Gardner family, John and I are so very sorry for your loss. Kelly was a great man who will be missed by many. Prayers for you all in this difficult time.

  30. Truley one of the greatest men I have ever met. Marge, Melissa, and Kevin, you are all in my prayers.

  31. Marge and Family: We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He surely loved watching his grandsons play baseball, tossed back in his lawn chair with a bag of popcorn. Good memories.

  32. To all of Kelly’s family our sincere sympathy. We are so sorry and are holding you all close in thoughts and prayers.

  34. What a great man. Talk about old school and doing things right. Everyone is so sad to hear of his passing. He really was a great part of Miles City and I know a lot of people feel this loss. Peace be with his family.

  36. So sorry to hear about your loss. I’ve done business with Kelly for over 20 years and it was always a pleasure and he was a true professional. But more than that I considered him a friend. Our sincere condolences.

  37. So sorry for your loss. We are praying for your family. Rest in God’s love and peace.

  38. Please accept my deepest condolences for your family’s loss. Someone so special can never be forgotten.
    May you be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding you and God’s everlasting peace.

  39. To Marge and family, we are so sorry for your loss, we will be thinking of you at this time. Kelly was such a nice gentle soul. We will miss seeing him and his infectious smile. May you be comforted in knowing he is in a better place surrounded by God’s love and peace.
    Chuck and Mary Notbohm

  40. Our thoughts are with the entire Gardner family as you grieve the loss of your loved one. Dwight and Lynette Tague

  41. Marge and family, may the Lord be with you during this trying time. We are so sad for your loss. Kelly and I have been best friends since high school and had many good times together. Great friends like you make us all better people. We love you, take care of each other and God bless.

  42. Very sorry for your loss. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. He was the best mechanic in Miles City and an honest and trustworthy one.

  43. We were so fortunate to have a individual as Kelly living in our community. He was always available to helping, weather it was youth activities, fraternal serivce and activities, stranded travelers having vehicle problems or offering his view of solving issues in the community. Our prayers, thoughts and condolences to your family.

  44. Kelly was such a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. Our hearts are saddened by the news of his passing but glad to know that he will no longer be in pain. God bless you Marge and Melissa and Kevin. May your happy memories help you get through the days to come.

  47. Kelly was a hell of a hand. I really enjoyed him. Love to the family. So sorry for the loss.

  48. Marge and Family. So sad to hear of Kelly’s passing. He was one of the Good Ones. Really enjoyed visiting with him and you when we had our vehicles repaired. And seeing him at the Elks after work. He had a wonderful personality and I will really miss him. And of course it is always good to see you when you Scare me at the radio station. You have great humor too. Keep it up and hope to see you soon..God Bless!

  49. Gardner Family, You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Hope all the good memories will help in the days ahead.

  51. Sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing.He always was a good friend as well as wonderful mechanic and person.

  52. The Dave and Verna Henderson Family,
    You are in our thoughts and prayers. We miss the stories Kelly would tell us about Kelly working for him. Marilyn misses the hard time he gave her every time she showed up at the shop. He was a prominent presence in Miles City and will be greatly miss by all. Remember the happy times.

  54. We have lost another great person, a friend of many years.
    Our prayers and thoughts are with you and family.

  55. I got to know Kelly when we were both attending mechanics school; in North Dakota. The thing I will never forget is his sense of humor. A lot of our time together was spent cracking jokes & laughing constantly. What a loss. I will see you on the other side.

    Orman Lende

  56. Marge and family, my sincere sympathy to each of you. Kelly was an exceptional mechanic dedicated to excellence in service. He was a much loved community member too. May you find comfort and peace in your memories of your loved husband and father.
    Shirley Lund

  57. Kelly was a good friend and and an outstanding mechanic whom I deeply respected. I am very sad to hear of his passing. He will be badly missed but not forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of sorrow.
    Fred and Vicky Anderson

  58. Marge, I always enjoyed Kelly and you when stopping by with my problems. I know my dad greatly respected Kelly’s work on the “66” Ford pickup.

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