Marjorie Lee Gardner passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2026, with Melissa by her side at the nursing home in Terry, Montana.
Marge was born on July 23rd, 1940, in Cavalier, North Dakota, the daughter of Vivian and Roy Fee. Marge had a younger brother, Robert Fee.
After high school, she moved to Fargo, ND and went to business school. While in Fargo, Marge worked as a switchboard operator. It would be in Fargo that she would meet the love of her life, Kelly Gardner. After finishing school, the two moved to Miles City where they both worked at Love Motors. They then got married on July 24th, 1963. In August of 1971, their family would grow with the adoption of their son Kevin and again in 1975 with daughter Melissa.
While the kids were young Marge stayed at home and babysat. Later, Marge worked for Stallard and Dent during the tax seasons and was also the office manager for Kelly’s Auto Repair for 25 years.
Marge enjoyed ceramics at the Mud Hut, bowling, and working the concession stand for the Miles City Youth Baseball Association in the summer.
Those that knew Marge would fondly refer to her as Rattlesnake. She had a wonderful sense of humor and always wanted to pull pranks on unsuspecting people.
Marge loved the Lord and wanted to make sure her children knew the Lord. She was a loving mom and grandma.
Marge was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Kelly.
She is survived by daughter Melissa and son Kevin (Andi); grandsons Matthew and Ryan; granddaughter Jenna; Brother-in-law Jerry (Linda); nieces Nicole Gardner and Rachel (Keith) Sayers and their families.
Thank you to Prairie County Community Hospital staff for their love and care of our mom. A special thank you to Deb Schmeling for all your love and support over the years.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials in Marge’s name to Prairie County Community Hospital Foundation, PO Box 156, Terry MT 59349, or Miles City Youth Baseball Association, PO Box 332, Miles City MT 59301.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with family receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment 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.
Tuesday January 20, 2026
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 21, 2026
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 20, 2026
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 21, 2026
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Dawn Reiger says
Melissa I’m so sorry for your loss! Sending you many prayers, hugs and love!
Marvin and Lynne Brush says
Our deepest condolences, so sorry for your loss
Shannon Holmen says
Melissa, always hard to loose a Momma. So sorry.
Sheila Keniv Meckle Rickett says
So sorry melissa. You were there for her always. She was a great person. She always brought my husband a bag of candy bars to the post office. It was a joke between them. My heart goes out to you Hugs
Bruce Ingraham says
Sorry for your loss. She was a fun lady. Bruce and Cindy Ingraham
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Melissa, prayers for u during this time of grief.
Pat Grantham says
Melissa – I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I always enjoyed seeing Marge in the clinic. She loved to joke around and whenever I saw her in public she would say I must be stalking her. Melissa, I know how close you and your mom were. I hope the memories of all the good times and special moments can help ease the pain during this difficult time. My thoughts are with you.
Muriel Selk says
Melissa, I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. You have taken such wonderful care of her. You will miss her but remember all the good times. The many laughs and jokes that filled her life. It is a hole that is so hard to fill because she knew everyone in Miles City. God’s arms are around you especially at this time. Sending my love to you. I never got to visit her in Terry but she has always been in my mind. We worked together and saw each other quite frequently and had a lot of good laughs over the years.
Bub and Carlene Gaskill says
Condolences to the family, thought the world and all of your folks.
Carolyn Kimball says
So sorry for your loss, Marge was such a “kick”! I’m sure she will be greatly missed. Knowing she and your dad are reunited will hopefully bring you comfort.
Virgil battin says
Sorry about your mom
Tom Clarke says
I’m so sorry that Marge has left us. She and Kelly were a great and devoted couple who ran a great business. I was so glad to be their customer.
Marcy Stabler Parks says
Kevin, Melissa, and families, I am so sorry! You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Wendy & Brian Ballance says
Melissa & Family, I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom passing. She was always quite the lady. Always has something funny to say. Such a sweetheart💖 She’s in such a better place. I’m sure she’ll having the time of her life reunited with all gone before her. Please know you’re in our thoughts & prayers. Love you💖🙏🏼💖
Pam Rogge says
Melissa, condolences on the loss of your mom. Cherish the memories.
Todd LaRowe says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gardner family. She will be dearly missed.
Linda and Jim Simonsen says
Melissa and Kevin, We are so sorry for your loss–it’s always painful to lose a parent no matter what the circumstances. Your mom and dad were great people and now they are together again and may that thought bring you comfort and peace.
Brian and Maggie Dice says
Kevin and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you with the loss of your mom.
Donna Leitholt -Taylor says
Melissa, Kevin and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Magie was one of a kind. So many laughter filled memories. She is at peace.
MARTHA Crandall says
My sympathy
Carol Bean says
So sorry for your family’s loss. You were so devoted to her that I know she felt your love up to the end. I will remember her for her “spirited” personality. Hold tight to your memories and God bless.
Dee Dee Kane says
Melissa: I’m sure her and my Mom, Everal Nelson will be sharing a beer and stories in heaven! They were always pretty good friends! Sorry for your loss!
GAIL KREZELAK says
Kevin, Melissa and Family,
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of you Mom. My thoughts are prayers are with all of you at this time. Eternal Rest Grant Unto her O Lord. May she rest in Peace.
Gail Krezelak
Cheryl Tonn says
Prayers and condolences Melissa. 💔
Garth Sleight says
Kevin and Melissa, and family, it is hard enough when the first parent goes, but it is so much harder when the second parent goes. My sincerest sympathies on this sad time in your lives. Cherish the happy memories.
Clinton says
Sorry for your loss, Melissa
Betsy Mason says
To the whole Gardner family: Sending my deepest sympathy for your loss. What a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. It was such a blessing to know her. Many prayers to you all in this time.
Breanna Schell says
I am so extremely sorry for your loss Andy, Kevin, Ryan, Matthew, and Jenna! I have nothing but fond memories of Marj and enjoyed every time I got the chance to have a conversation with her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, you’ve all been a second family to me!
Walter White says
So sorry for your loss.
Carolyn, Lyle and Aaron Hoppe says
Melissa, Kevin and family – Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Jeena Christopherson says
Kevin & Andi and Melissa, I am so sorry the loss of your mom. She was such a spunky lady and was full of sass. She always had a smile to share. I have lots and lots of fond memories of her keeping us neighborhood kids in line. I am thinking of you all and sending prayers of comfort during this sad time.
Jenny Hickox “Southern Belle” & Family says
My dear sweet, sassy and full of spunk Marge, you will be missed by many! I wish I could be there but distance will not allow. I have missed you so much and always have and will hold you close to my heart. You were so much fun to be with and always had a smile and always put a smile on others faces. Melissa & family, yall are in my prayers. Keep her memory alive always as I know yall will. Hugs to all & much love.
Jan Ronning says
Kevin and Melissa I am sorry to hear of Margie’s passing. Your parents were two of the finest people I’ve ever known. Margie was an adorable little spit fire. Having you two meant everything thing to her and Kelly. May your memories give you comfort.
Jim bastian says
Sorry for your loss! Lots of great memories! Loved all the hard times she gave me. She will be missed!
Joyce & Jack Cavanaugh says
Melissa and Kevin, Jack & I are thinking of you at this sad time. We have many fun memories with both your parents. God Bless!
Julie and Butch Krutzfeldt says
We always enjoyed Marge as a friend forever. She had quite the sense of humor. Our sympathy to the family.
Irene Pluhar says
Melissa and Kevin your mom was one of a kind. I so enjoyed her many pranks. I especially remember her coming through the drive thru at the bank and asking for a treat, I sent out a doggy bone! She got the biggest laugh. Enjoyed playing pinochle with her also. What a great lady. Keep those wonderful memories close.
Mike & Judy Toennis says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families. We will miss seeing your mom in Terry.
Terry Virag says
Sure gonna miss Marj (Ratllesnack) when I would see her out and about. Met her when Kelly would fix my vehicles. Marj was always planning tricks on us at the radio station and was a welcome caller and deep friend of Charice and me. Sympathy to the family and Rattlesnake will surely be missed. She was a wonderful Lady. Terry and Charice KYUS radio
marie root says
melissa and family, your folks and the good pooch freddie were my mom’s favourite neighbours ever. they were so good to Mom and occasionally “freddie” would send Mom flowers, but we know that marge was the real gifter. my condolences to you folks on marge’s passing. it’s good to think of her and kelly together in peace, and may all these kind and thoughtful sentiments bring you heart’s ease.
Teresa De Long says
My condolences, Melissa…you are such a wonderful daughter!
Brady says
Melissa and Kevin,
It feels like I have known your parents forever. I knew the ladies at the mother’s booth since I was nine and then worked for the city while they were still in charge. Miss them all. Many years of doing business with Kelly and Marj. They were both honest, caring, and humorous people. It was my privilege to get to know them.
Michelle Simpson says
Kevin and Melissa, so very very sorry for the loss of your mother. She was truly a treasure. Your folks left you a beautiful legacy. They were blessed to have you, but you were blessed to have them . Melissa I remember you taking your mother on Saturdays to lunch and giving her all the care that you possibly could for as long as you could you loved her dearly and she loved you the same. Everyone should have a daughter as kind and as wonderful as you are, please take care of each other and know that we hold you close in thought in prayer.
Jane Viall says
Kevin, Melissa, and family,
So many memories with your mother for me!! Rattle snake as she was proudly known by many. 🙂 I will be praying for your hearts as you move through this time of grief and loss. As you know, God will walk with you every step, even when He doesn’t feel close, He is right there.
Christina Ostendorf says
Kevin, Andi, Melissa and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Thinking of you in this tough time. Our condolences.
Mark and Christina (Vosen) Ostendorf
Chris Schlepp says
I miss seeing her come after parts for your father, she was always full of spunk!!
Pam Moths Nisley says
She touched our lives deeply!! Our continued prayers for all of you in the months ahead! She definitely made a spunky mark on our world!! We know with her faith in Jesus she is home in Heaven!! Hugs!!!