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Gladys Milek

Gladys Iola McKiernan Milek, 99, passed away in Missoula, Mont., on April 17, 2017,5 days shy of her 100th birthday.

Gladys was born on April 22, 1917, in Carpenter Creek, Mont., a mining town near Roundup. She spent her childhood years in Timberline, Mont., and the Wyoming towns of Gebo and Thermopolis. Carpenter Creek, Timberline, and Gebo no longer exist.

She attended Colorado Women's College and the University of Nebraska. She interrupted her education to marry C.A. "Bud" Milek and become a rancher's wife near Thermopolis. The smallest house she lived in was a sheep wagon where the baby slept on the table. She was a fantastic homemaker who learned to cook from Bill Peoples, one of their hired hands.

She and Bud were fabulous dancers. Besides cooking and dancing, Gladys enjoyed playing bridge and singing in the Catholic Church choir. She was a devout Catholic, saying the Rosary daily and going to mass regularly.

Gladys was a loving mother and felt her most important life accomplishment was raising five successful children –"such good kids!" She had many friends and was always receptive to having more. She was a generous soul always looking for ways to help others. She looked for the good in others and was extremely positive and supportive. Her grandchildren knew her love had no limits and they cherished her for her generosity and endless support.

She is survived by her children, JuleAnne (Bill) Hester of Florence, Mont., Van (Susie) of Spokane, Wash., Janice (Skip) Hegman of Missoula, Mont., and Jenine (Tommy) Wilke; six grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years; son, Daniel; and grandson, Bret Hester.

A Catholic graveside service was held at the family cemetery in Thermopolis on April 22. Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula, Mont., and Bryant Funeral Home in Worland, Wyo., assisted with arrangements

In honor of Gladys, please live according to her motto: "Always have a good sense of humor and enjoy people. Laugh!"

 

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