Mardella Mae Vaagen passed away on October 20, 2025, at Residential Living, Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana.
Mardella was born July 23, 1936 to Erwin and Elsie Mohl at Mannhaven, North Dakota, The family moved to Minnesota in the 1930’s and then to Oregon in the 1940’s.
Mardella started elementary school in Scappoose, Oregon. The family moved back to North Dakota in the mid 1940’s residing on a farm north of Hazen, North Dakota. She graduated from Taylor High School in Taylor, North Dakota and Bismarck Junior College. She married Marvin O. Vaagen on June 3, 1956, and her daughter Deeon joined the family.
They moved to Glendive, Montana where her son Paul completed the family. She was employed with the Montana Department of Transportation while she was there. A move to Miles City was next and continued employment with the Montana Department of Transportation for the next 33 years.
Mardella enjoyed the great outdoors – hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, cooking, and baking. After she retired, she took up quilting, a hobby she thoroughly enjoyed.
Preceding Marcella in death were her parents, brothers Ruthyn (Gladys) Mohl and Leon Mohl; her husband Marvin; daughter Deeon (Mike) Bickle; and grandsons Matthew Bickel and Scott Bickle.
She is survived by her son Paul; son-in-law Mike Bickle; grandson Randy Bickle; granddaughters Rychele Markuson and Autumn Cagel; great grandchildren Kaden Bickle, Arlo Bickle and Eeanor Cagle.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mardella’s name to Trinity Lutheran Church in Miles City or the Custer County Food Bank.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, with family receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Per her request, there will not be a funeral service. Private Family Graveside Services will take place in the family lot of Custer County Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 23, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main St.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
PAUL D VAAGEN says
Good bye Mom.
Because I could not stop for Death
By Emily Dickinson
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –
We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –
Or rather – He passed Us –
The Dews drew quivering and Chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown –
My Tippet – only Tulle –
We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground –
Since then – ’tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses’ Heads
Were toward Eternity –
Denise and Jay Harvey says
We love Mardie! She will be missed by those here! What a joyous reunion with her family in the other side.
Pam Dotson says
Mardie will always hold a very special place in my heart. I am so grateful for the many years I worked with her at the DOT. Many prayers to her family and friends.
Nancy Fillafer says
Paul & family, So sorry for the loss of your mom. God be with her. May she rest in peace.
Sandi Kohones says
I am so sorry to hear of Mardella’s passing. I enjoyed visiting with her and I know she will be missed by all who knew her ! Prayers for the family during this time.
Muriel Selk says
What a gracious lady. Got to know her and Marvin quite well as I did their income tax returns for many years. She will be with Marvin again. God be with her.
Muriel Selk says
What a gracious lady. Got to know her and Marvin real well as I did their income taxes for years. Rest in peace.
Jesse Wallis says
Sending my love, prayers, and support to Paul and family. I’m so glad I had the chance to meet Mardella this summer when I visited from Arizona. May the memory of her smile and her spirit be a blessing to all who knew her.
Jesse Wallis says
Paul, the poem from Emily Dickinson speaks to us through the ages.
Here is another that may be a comfort to you, as it has been to me.
THE WAKING
by Theodore Roethke
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.
We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.
Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me; so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.
This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.
Eileen Entzel says
My thoughts and prayers are with you
Your parents have a special place in my heart. They were close friends with my parents back when they lived in Glendive. Many good memories. Glad Vern and I got to keep that connection with them when we moved to Miles City.