Ardith O'Dell

1950 - 2025

Ardith O'Dell

August 3, 1950 - July 12, 2025

Ardith Marie O'Dell of Hamilton, infinitely treasured wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend to so many, passed away on July 12 at the home of her son in Kalispell after a decade long brave, stubborn battle with many health issues. She was 74 years old.

Ardie was born on August the 3rd, 1950 to Heber Jesse and Letha (Christensen) Gilbert in Soda Springs Idaho. She was the third of four children born to the family. A short time after her birth, the family moved to Victor, where her father had purchased a cattle ranch. Ardie was definitely a "daddy's girl", and as a small child followed her father as his second shadow. She was known to sneak into the hay wagon in the early mornings so she could help her Dad feeding the cows, only popping out of hiding once the wagon was too far from the house to send her back. Eventually her father's health required the selling of the ranch and the family moving into Victor proper, where her father worked as a carpenter and kept a smaller ranch, and her mother was a teacher in the Victor elementary school.

Ardie attended school in Victor, and in High School met the love of her life, Gary O'Dell. The couple were married on February 17, 1967. Their first son, Keary, as born in September of 1967, and another son, Korey, joined them in December 1969. Their family life was filled with camping trips, picnics, family get togethers at holidays and other times, family vacations and just the joys of being together. Gary passed away in 2014, after a happy marriage of 47 years filled with love, smiles, laughter and fun.

In 1972, Ardie started working for the Ravalli County Head Start program at first as an Assistant Teacher and soon after a Teacher with her own classroom. For the next forty years, she was beloved "Teacher Ardie" to hundreds of small children over the years, in many cases teaching generations of kids in the same family as former students grew up and had children of their own. Her classroom was known as the "Sunshine Room", so called because of the perfect nickname given to her by a co-worker. Many of her colleagues at Head Start became life long friends, and remained so long after leaving the program.

To her own family, Ardie was the rock, confidante, wise, funny, and loving constant in their lives that shaped who they grew up to be. Her family, and in particular her sons and grandchildren, were her greatest joy and proudest accomplishment. She could always be turned to for encouragement, advice, a hug to cry in, or a fit of giggles when needed.

Ardie is survived by her sons, Keary and Korey (Holly) of Kalispell; grandsons, Troy, Nathan, Thomas, Noah, and Kieran; and granddaughters, Ashlee (Eric), Hannah and Emy. She is also survived by her siblings, Lynne (Thane) of Utah, Bill (Michelle) of Utah, and Judy, of Corvallis; nephews, nieces, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband.

Ardie's family would also like to especially thank Tom, Carron, Pam, Misty, Frankie, Chrissy, and Brittany for their love, friendship and help when Ardie was doing her stubborn best to remain independent and distance made it hard for the family to be there when she needed us. We are forever grateful.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Thursday, July 24, 2025 at the Hamilton Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow at Victor Cemetery next to her beloved husband Gary. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.

Daly-Leach Chapel

1010 W. Main St., Hamilton, MT

(406) 363-2010