Margaret Helen Bordner

Margaret Helen Bordner, 79, passed away on Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 with family by her side.

Margaret was born on June 10th, 1946 to Helen and Arthur Keefe in Deer Lodge, Montana. She was the youngest of 3 daughters. The family moved from Gold Creek, Montana to Missoula in the late 1940s.

She attended grade school at St. Anthony's and high school at Sacred Heart Academy. Following her graduation in 1964, Margaret entered the School of Radiological Technology at St. Patrick Hospital, completing her degree in 1966.

Margaret's first job in her field took her to Portland, Oregon where she met Wilson Bordner. The couple married in 1968 and moved back to Missoula the following year. Over the next years, they had 3 children, twins Daniel and Denise, and youngest daughter, Susan.

Margaret returned to work when her kids were in grade school, joining the staff at Missoula Orthopaedic as an x-ray technician. She then worked at Garden City Medical / St. Patrick's Hospital, where she stayed until her retirement in 2009.

After her retirement, she counted herself lucky to be able to devote her time to taking care of her 6 grandchildren and eventually adding 5 great-grandchildren to her care. She truly loved spending time with her family and was a regular sight at every sporting event, school program and whatever else anyone had going on. Young or old, she was all of our best friend.

It's hard to find the words to truly express who she was to us because she was our center, our glue, and the one all of us went to about almost everything. Mom was smart, kind and easy-going. Her willingness to always join in the fun, with very few questions asked, made her a favorite for any adventure. And making her laugh until she cried gave you the best feeling ever. Mom taught us to be independent, kind and empathetic. She taught us to work hard and to take care of others, to show affection freely and to always help when we can. Getting a "Hi Dolly" from her could make your day and you didn't get to leave without a hug.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson E. Bordner; her parents, Arthur L. Keefe and Helen A. Keefe; and her oldest sister, Kathleen Gilder.

She is survived by her son Daniel Bordner (Angel), daughters Denise Seymour and Susan Bordner, grandchildren Schelby Smith (Justin), Kayla Jarrett (Chris), Miranda Dahnke (Hunter), Eric and Ryan Seymour, Wilson Bordner and great-grandchildren Chance, Mason and Maggie Smith, and Jude and Delainey Jarrett, all of Missoula, MT. She is also survived by her remaining sister, Anna Lee Kiff; her brother-in-law Sam Gilder and brother-in-law Michael Bordner (Mary) and many more extended family and friends.

Her funeral services will be Friday, August 1st @ 11am at St. Anthony's Church. A luncheon at the church will follow.