Gail Stevens

1946 - 2024

Gail Stevens, 78 of Joliet, Montana passed away Friday, November 1,2024 at home surrounded by the love of her family. She was born January 9,1946 in Miles City, Montana, the daughter of Jim and Gerry (Willson) Griffin

Gail was raised northwest of Ekalaka, Montana near Fallon Creek on a cattle ranch. In the early years she attended a one room school house near the family ranch. She would ride her horse, Strawberry, to the school in the mornings, throw the reins over his neck and send him home. She would then walk home after school.

In 1956 the family moved southeast of Medora, North Dakota on a cattle ranch located in the beautiful Badlands. She continued her education through 8th grade in a one room school house at Rocky Ridge. She still rode Strawberry to and from school.

Gail attended high school in both Joliet and Belfield. Graduating from Belfield in 1964. After high school she attended Billings Business College obtaining a degree in accounting. Following college, she went to work at the Farmers & Merchants new branch bank in Medora. Here is where she started dating Norm. They were united in marriage December 22,1966 in Belfield, North Dakota.

Following Norms discharge from the United States Army they moved to Montana, settling in Joliet. Norm attended Montana State University and Gail worked at the First National Bank of Billings. In October of 1969 they welcomed the first of two daughters, Kelly Ann, and sister Lindsey Lynn would follow in July of 1978.

In 1972 they purchased a ranch west of Joliet where they raised cattle and sheep. Soon raising pure breed Suffolk sheep which became Gail's passion. Gail took care of the ranch and raised two daughters while Norm followed his civil engineering career.

Gail excelled in the industry of registered Suffolk sheep. Her selective breeding program produced sheep that topped the Miles City Ram sale 28 consecutive years. She won countless grand champion awards at the Montana Fair and Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE). Prior to retiring from the Suffolk sheep industry all of her lambs were sold before they were born. What a legacy she left behind, which will be hard for future breeders to follow.

Besides raising sheep, Gail enjoyed team roping and bowling. Gail threw a 16-pound bowling ball for many years. She bowled on a women's league for 50 years. Throughout her years, she won many mixed team roping's as a heeler. She was both Kelly and Lindsey's head rodeo coach, unquestionably their biggest fan and critic. She put on countless miles hauling both girls from one end of this state to the other. She loved good horses and always made sure that both girls were riding the best. Gail was still riding up until a few years ago.

Gail could operate a skid steer loader better than most men and was able to back up a 27-foot goose neck trailer absolutely anywhere. She passed these skills onto both daughters. She was an expert shot with a rifle, but never wanting to kill anything ...targets only.

She was extremely strong for her size. She could handle hay bales more than her body weight alone. She was not an outspoken person and kept all criticisms to herself except to her husband and daughters.

Gail didn't take many vacations from the ranch; she loved her home and animals. Norm and Gail took a late honeymoon trip and saw most of the sights that Australia had to offer in 2010. She had the best time on this trip, saying it was truly well worth the wait.

It was stated at her father's funeral that he was one of the best cowboys to come down the Pike...Without a doubt we can say the same for Gail.... She was truly, one of the best cowgirls to come down the Pike.

Gail is survived by her husband Norm, Daughters Kelly Ann (Larry) Liljenquist, Lindsey Lynn (Jim) Wiederrich, Brother Lynn (Amiee) Griffin, Granddaughters Keyanna (Tyler)Bare, Chandra (Luke Krogh) MacDonald, Alexis, Elizabeth, and Grace Liljenquist, Great Granddaughters Everly and Hallie Bare as well as many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents Jim and Gerry Griffin and Stepfather Norm McKeen.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be held at the Knowlton Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.