Marjorie Mae Gibbs Waldo, age 85, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care facility in Miles City, Montana.
Marjorie (Marge) was born on January 3, 1930 in Culbertson, Montana, the daughter of Thomas and Lena (Fehrs) Gibbs. She grew up on the homestead near the Missouri River and Brockton in what was known as the Mona Community, until drought and grasshoppers forced the family to move to Sidney. Marge attended school in Sidney before her marriage to Richard Faye Waldo on November 22, 1947 in Sidney. Richard and Marjorie were married for 65 years before he passed away in 2012.
Following their marriage, Dick and Marge moved numerous times as Dick worked on area construction projects and as an electrical lineman until 1956 when, as Marge put it “I put my foot down!” and they moved permanently to the farm on Hatchet Creek. There they farmed and raised cattle and kids. In the mid-1960s Dick and Marge brought nephew Paul Zahorodny to live with them and in all ways he became their son.
They operated Waldo Gardens for many years selling produce and fresh-cut french fries at farmers markets or to local grocery stores and restaurants. Marge worked for the Terry Hospital and Terry Schools until her retirement. Dick and Marge moved into Cottonwood Care Center in 2012 and after Dick’s passing Marge moved into Holy Rosary Extended Care.
Marge was a member of the Lutheran Church and the Fallon Homemakers. She enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a thorough outdoors girl. She loved to pick agates, get spring sweet peas from the creek bed, and gaze through her living room window at the bluffs overlooking the Yellowstone River. Marge was a fierce competitor in pinochle, don’t-get-mad, or any game she played. She handed no one any cheap victories. She loved to cook and always made sure everyone had a full plate. She took pride in baking pies, cookies, kuchen, and sour-cream German twists.
Marge was thoroughly convinced that disaster was always just one step around the bend. And when that bend was rounded with no pitfalls, she firmly turned her attention to the next possible hailstorm, blizzard, flat tire, early frost, or pernicious grass hopper attack. All that being said, Marge was the most cheerful pessimist imaginable. Coupled with Dick’s eternal optimism, they made an interesting pair with always spirited conversation and some really interesting card games, especially when they were supposed to be partners. While Dick never met a road or trail he didn’t want to explore just to see what was over the hill and around the corner, Marge was firmly rooted at the farm on Hatchet Creek.
Marjorie is survived by three children: Richard D. Waldo and his wife Jean of Grand Forks, ND; Sandra R. Viall of Missoula, MT and J. Scott Waldo and his wife Jackie of Bigfork, MT; eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Ted Waldo of Lexington, KY, sister-in-law Iva Waldo of Glendive, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Gracie Gibbs Zahorodny Tessmer of Sidney, MT and Esther Gibbs Findley Bunting, of Mariposa, CA, and nephew/son Paul Zahorodny, Billings, MT, and one grandson, Keenen Viall of Missoula, MT.
Services to commemorate Marge’s life will be held August 22 in Miles City. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday August 22, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday August 22, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Patti (Green) Ireland says
My condolences to “Margie’s” family. I enjoyed so much getting to know her at Mom’s table at Holy Rosary Extended Care. She remembered me each time I visited, and asked about Alaska. She was a special lady.
Patti Ireland
Carol Larsen says
I have enjoyed knowing Margie that last few years. I am sorry she has passed away, but
know that is wonderful for her. May God comfort her children.
Tom & Bernice Buckingham says
J. Scott, Sandy, and Dick,
We extend our sympathy to you and your families in the loss of your wonderful mother.
Janice & Vernon Kaul says
So sorry to hear of Margies Passing. She was a great lady. We had lots of fun in New Orleans.
Lynn Anderson says
I met Margie back in 2013 when she was a roommate of my mother’s for a few months at HREC. She was such a sweet lady and I always enjoyed visiting with her. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this time.
Bob Lindvig says
I have so many memories it’s hard to imagine. Being neighbors for over 50 years you collect a a lot, everything from a haunted house in their basement to some feisty letters to the editor of a paper. May God bless Dick, Sandy and Scott and we will miss another member of our community. RIP Margie!!
Delphine Coon says
Sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Had many good talks with her when we worked together at the school. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Rene Clarke says
Dick, Scott, and Sandy,
So sorry to hear of Marjorie’s passing. She was such a fun lady and loved how her and Dad would tease, to see who would get the best of each other. They are probably at it right now!
Our condolences to the family. Rene and Newell Clarke
Arlene Morast says
So sorry to hear about your Mother’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with her, and we had lots of good visits. She was a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
With deepest sympathy, Arlene Morast
Cathy and Gary Kalmback says
Scott, so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. I always thought she was a great lady & fun to visit with. Thoughts and prayers, my friend!
Ken and Vicki Hess says
Sorry to hear about your mother. She was a wonderful person with a heart as big as all outdoors and will be sorely missed.
Shannon Holmen says
Although I don’t know her kids, I sure liked her and Dick. I knew them mostly from CottonWood Home Care. They still seemed so in love. I am glad to have known them.
Peggy Wilson Latrielle says
So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. My mother Ellen so valued her friendship with Margie. From hearing Mom tell it, their years together on staff in the Bolin Building were filled with lots of fun times and laughter. Margie obviously had a generous and warm spirit. May you find consolation in knowing that others care.
arlen and alice miller says
Sorry to hear of your mother’s passing We always enjoyed our vist with your parents, Our prayers are with you all
Dorothy Finneman says
Dick, Sandy and Scott, I am so sorry to hear Marj. is gone I just visited her the day before she passed, She didn’t respond well then ,We had many good memories to share of our cooking days in Terry school, May she rest in peace, My prayers are with all of you kids,
Kolleen Waldo Forsyth says
Sincere sympathies to Dick Jr, Sandie and Scott with their families. I have such fond memories of aunt Margie and will treasure those. Thinking of you all.
Ginger Waldo Lawson (Pat Waldo's daughter says
Dick, Sandi and Scott, Our deepest sympathies on the passing of Marjorie. I always enjoyed her and your dad and you kids when we were young. Hopefully your memories of her will in time make you smile and know she is in a better place. Its hard to see family when we are so far away. I think of you all often and hope you would email me from time to time to keep in touch. Since Connie passed away, I have lost touch with most of the family except Bonnie. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tim Waldo says
I have fond memories of going over to the truck garden for vegetables and potatoes. Margie was always easy going and let us do anything. It was the matriarch, Grandma Waldo, that made sure we were staying out of trouble. May she rest in peace.
Shirley Lambeth says
Dick, Sandy and Scott – Sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. It has been many years since I have seen Marge, and I have so missed the wonderful friendship we once had. She was the best cook and baker and always made sure everyone was well fed. Bill and I both loved the farm, the cattle, the chickens, digging potatoes, the corn, the huge garden, and the list goes on and on. I think of your parents and you kids every time I drive over the Fallon bridge. My best to all of you.
Rick Waldo says
Dick, Sandy and Scott – My thoughts and prayers are with you today. I am sorry I couldn’t make it up there for the service.