Marjorie Alice Branger, age 80, of Miles City, was peacefully taken from us with her family at her side on October 5, 2012 after battling lung cancer.
Marge was born February 29, 1932 in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Marjorie Helen and James Storey Gunkle. She attended schools in Denver and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Colorado A & M in 1954 with degrees in Zoology and Embryology.
She met and married the cowboy of her dreams on May 28, 1954. She and her husband David moved to the family ranch in Roscoe, Montana after graduation where they raised their family and lived for 40 years, raising registered and commercial Angus cattle. Adventuresome souls, Marge and David were always looking for some new form of excitement which included driving to Alaska and traveling north of the Arctic Circle in 1963 to bring home six reindeer in the back of their pickup. This venture led to trading reindeer for llamas, and raising elk, something that the entire family never considered unusual. Horseracing led the family on a variety of adventures, but home was always back at the ranch.
Marge was an active member in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Miles City, The Powder River Chapter of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution, and The Custer County Art Center, where she cultivated many wonderful friendships. She truly loved painting, camping, traveling, and spending time with her family. She was interested and always inquisitive about archaeology and paleontology.
She is survived by her husband, David, of 58 years; Sons Jim and Mike Branger; daughter, Nancy (Jeff) Okerman; granddaughters Chelsea and Stormi Okerman; and daughter-in-law, Kim Branger.
Cremation has taken place, and a private family service will be held at a later date. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family below.
Should friends desire, memorials can be made to the Custer County Art Center Foundation, PO Box 1284, Miles City, Montana 59301.
Matti Kujala says
My sincere condolences to the Branger/Okerman families (and all those related) for your loss.
Matti Kujala
Espoo, Finland
(formerly of Fox, Montana)
terry ekwortzel says
dave, jim, mike , and nancy, my sincere sympathy, i remember her well when i was a kid, and i miss all of you , finer people cannot be found. terry ekwortzel
Ed and Karen Miller says
All of you are in our prayers. We sure loved Marge. What a wonderful person she was. We have been enjoying talking about memories of her and we’re sure that you are, too. Thanks for calling us, Nancy. You are special. Blessings to all of you.
VICKI BRADING says
IAM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS-WHAT A GRAND PERSON SHE WAS.
Mark D. Parker says
Tomorrow I might think of a family which had a bigger affect on ours than the Brangers, but I cannot do it today. My parents, David and Roberta were on that trip to Alaska. Marge and my mom dug for, and found, ancient artifacts along the sound. My first memory of Marge was visiting Marge and David in what is still called the Parker house on the ranch now known as the Switchback. With the Brangers I killed my first deer, caught my first halibut, caught my first salmon and had a laugh every day.
On one trip to British Columbia I flew in to meet the Brangers and my parents in a Prince Rupert. I bought three national newspapers at the SeaTac airport to bring the Brangers some reading material. I knew Marge read everything she could get her hands on. She grabbed those papers and read every word of every paper. Probably three times.
Marge was curious, gracious, tough, gentle and one of the great Treasures of this Treasure State.
Those that knew her will know what I mean when I say that I was always more comfortable knowing Marge and David Branger were along when my parents went on some adventure to Canada, Alaska or Mexico.
We lost a good one.
TJ Cape says
I am so sorry for your loss. Marge has been a great pleasure to get to know. I enjoyed her sense of humor. Powder River Chapter DAR will miss her greatly. She was a wonderful lady.
Bob and Lynn Lunde says
To the Branger and Okerman families,
We are so sorry to hear of Marge’s death. She was always a fun, kind lady with a smile on her face. She will be missed, and you are in our prayers and thoughts.
Valerie VanEvery Meyer says
So sorry to hear about your loss Nancy. Give my best to your dad (one of the greatest guys every!) Mike and Jim. Your mom was a very sweet, funny, adventerous person and I remember when your mom & dad came to our class in 6th grade to tell us about their Reindeer and Llamas. Your mom was so enthusiastic! My she rest in peace now free of her earthly pain. amen.
Sara and Bob Morris says
Dear Dave and Family,
We are so sorry to learn of Marge’s death and send you our sincere sympathy. We have many good memories of times together in Belize, wandering down the beach, sharing breakfast at George’s and coffee on your veranda. It is a pleasure to have known Marge and to know you and your family, Dave.
Sincerely,
Sara and Bob
Cindy and Renita says
Dave and family,
Our sincere sympathies go out to you and your family. Marge was certainly a bright spot in San Pedro. She is now at peace. She will be missed greatly.
Cindy and Renita
Norma and Ty Chin says
David and family,
Thanks so much for the call , I know Marge has been called home.
She will be missed by so many. She was such a special lady,My swim buddy, shopping buddy, coffee buddy,heck she was like my “Belizean mom”. Folks here still ask me where my mom is at the shops. She never put up with any bull and always laughed so hard you had to laugh with her.Our deepest condolences to all the family and friends who loved her so much.
Liz Hunton says
Dear David, Jim, Mike and Nancy,
So very sorry to learn of the loss of Marge. It was always such a joy to be around her. She was so eager to learn and share every adventure. We were all so blessed to know and love her. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Liz
Mark Browning, CC Art Center says
Our thoughts are with Marge’s family as we remember her bright smile and hearty laugh that accompanied her frequent visits to help out at our Center. We appreciated and enjoyed her company and ever-willing effort to help out. She was loved.
Our staff and Board send kind thoughts and memories.
Kris & Duke Kessl ing says
In 1998 my husband & I bought a condo in Belize. when ever we arrived there we knew the Brangers were there from the loud, hearty laughter coming from the pool. Marge was advit swimmer. She swam in the morning before breakfast and at 4 PM just before happy hour on their patio. Being new comers to the group of homerowners we knew this is a lady that would make us laugh. And She and her husband, David did just that. Telling stories of the earlier days of San Pedro, BZ before the tourist found it on the map and stories of their ranch and cattle. She and I use to trade artistic teniques.We were saddened when hey sold their condo even though they managed to sell to equally as nice people. Marge will be missed by David, her children and her extended family in Belize.
Peter D'Ascoli says
Dave-
I am so sorry to hear of Marge’s passing.
As an out of town doc coming to Mile City i always looked forward to dinner with you and Marge and often members of your family. The conversation was stimulating, the stories wonderfully entertaining and the curiosity the two of you brought to every day of life made each word exciting. The wine and palpable comradeship added to Marge’s wonderful dinners ( even when i taxed her culinary efforts).
Marge will live on in this stranger’s memory for a long time!
Take good care of yourself, Dave.
Ken & Jenny Osterman says
Ken and I met Marge and Dave in Belize in the mid-1990s. Every winter we looked forward to spending time with them and their condo was a real hangout. Ken would disappear over there for hours at a time, checking e-mail and chewing the fat with Marge and Dave. We have many fond memories of Marge from the mid-1990s until they sold their place. One time we were having dinner at their place the night before we were flying home and Marge asked if we really had to go home—why not stay until the weekend. We decided she was a very wise woman so didn’t finish our packing. The next morning we found out that the airlines were so booked that we’d have to extend our vacation by an entire week. Luckily, our jobs were still waiting when we got home…..Another time Marge and Dave had a party at their place. Everyone was watching that Benjamin Bratt movie—After the Storm—which was filmed on Ambergris. Myron Schoffner had arrived with a pitcher of margaritas. Those margaritas were delicious, but only a few of us were drinking them and Dave kept refilling my glass. I was well on the way to being in my cups but even in that condition I was able to determine that the movie was terrible. The last story I have to relate is about the day we were sitting in their condo and the subject of Carnation milk came up. Marge began to recite the ditty “Carnation milk is best of all, …………” but she couldn’t remember all the words so Ken and Dave googled it and the 2 of us got a good laugh from a ditty we’d never heard before.
As many others have said here in the Memory Book, Marge enjoyed life and people and had a great laugh. We will miss her, but remember her fondly, and our thoughts are with you Dave; Nancy, Jeff, Chelsea and Stormi; Jim and Mike.
Ken & Jenny Osterman
Martinsville, NJ and San Pedro, Belize
Toni Campbell Tivy says
Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
Mary Catherine Dunphy says
Dear David, Jim, Mike, Crash, Nancy & Jeff , Chelsea and Stormi:
It was really hard to get the phone call that Marge had left Planet Earth. I told Nancy that the news made me feel real shitty and I must have meant that because I got sick and have been in bed for nearly a week — made me wish I was more of the crying type. After all those Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas days spent with your family, I feel the loss of Marge deeply. She was a super person — great wife, mother, grandmother and friend and I liked her a lot. A very nurturing, funny, and artistic soul, This loss will take time to process but I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. All I can say, is thanks for the memories. Love never dies!
Jenny Rambur says
Dave – I am so sorry to hear of Marge’s passing. I will never forget her encouragement and constant loving comments – she could always put me in the best mood. It was so great getting to know you both better over the last couple years and enjoyed our time together out at the art center. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with you both <3
Renita and Cindy says
WOW what a women !! We met Dave and Marge in Belize 2004 when we set out to move there and live out lives. She and Dave helped us soooo much! They showed us the ropes, so to speak in Belize as they had a condo. there fore years. I remember Marge giving me a pep talk about cooking for many people as we bought a B&B. After her stories of how many people she fed the day after her wedding day. Dave had brought many of the guys from the field without notice… Gave me the strength to know I could too do it. She always encouraged me!! Marge also painted us a couple pictures for the B&B as were strapped for cash for decor. I admired the fact that Marge always swam and did her water exercise daily while she was in Belize. Marge was a great mentor and friend to me!! I felt blessed to have her and Dave in my life. I missed them when they stopped coming to Belize…and was excited to see them a year ago as they did visit the island. God has a special place and assignment for Marge I’m sure. We all will miss her!! My wish is that I see Dave again possibly in Belize and he wears his favorite shorts, Marge had fixed over and over again …ha God Love them and Bless them both!! Sincerely Renita and Cindy
Barbara and Evan DeVries says
We met Marge and Chelsea several years ago on a river trip in France. Both of them were good company and delightful, and we had many good laughs together. Chelsea has kept via email over the years, and we did know Marge had been ill, but were saddened to hear about her passing. She obviously touched many lives over the years, and we will remember her fondly. Love from the East Coast.