MAMIE WINIFRED "BIDWELL" DENSON

Mamie Winifred "Tiny" Denson, 88, was born on Saturday, January 2, 1937 to Frank Clayton and Nanie Winifred (Cain) Bidwell in Broadus, Montana.

Her loving heart beat it's last on Friday, September 26, 2025 at her home in Douglas, Wyoming.

Tiny went to school in Broadus and graduated in 1955. She married Robert "Bob" Denson that same year. The family grew with the addition of daughter Donna in 1956, with four more children following: Robert Jr, Penny, Cynthia, and Jackie. The family lived in Broadus and she worked as a teacher's aide at Saint Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana for seven years. At the same time, she was working towards her BS in education, graduating from EMC in 1974, the same year her eldest graduated from high school.

She substituted in the Broadus schools until 1976 when the family moved to Colstrip, Montana.

After Bob retired in 1980, they moved to Lavina, Montana and soon purchased 15 acres on Dean Creek, between Lavina and Roundup, Montana. In 1995, Bob passed away and Tiny and grandson, Daniel, moved into Lavina to be closer to school.

Daniel graduated in 1998 and Tiny moved back to Broadus to be closer to her parents. By 2004, with both parents now gone, and having reunited with her old beau, George Winkley, the year before, she moved to Douglas. She continued to substitute teach and began making quilts. She made many quilts for family and friends before failing eyesight finally caused her to give up a hobby she loved. She spent as much time as possible with family and friends and many happy memories were made. She treated George's family as her own.

Tiny was preceded in death by her husband Bob Denson; her parents Frank and Nanie Bidwell, her brother Cyrus, sister Myrtle, great grandson Kyle, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by her children: Donna Whitted of Gillette, Wyoming, Robert Denson Jr. of Edgemont, South Dakota, Penny (Jeff) Missell of Arizona, Cynthia (Darrell) Boam of Edgemont and Jackie (Fred) Schoenbeck of Park City, Montana and brother, Ronald Bidwell of Lyman, Colorado.

Surviving also are George Winkley of Douglas and his children Mary, Dale, Linda, Karen and Bev.

Tiny had eight grandchildren, Jamie (Michelle) Whitted of Gillett, Dina Whitted of Gillette, Daniel Denson of Billings, Montana, Owen, Mathew (Britney) Gorder of Billings, Michael Gorder of Billings, Jonna (Thomas) Cox of Billings, and Erin (Brian) Grey of Savanna, Georgia, nine great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Special thanks to Kay Moore and all her church family!

Services will be held at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Douglas on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Todd Weber officiating. A second service will be held in Broadus on Saturday, October 25, 2025 as she wished to have her ashes laid to rest with family at the Valley View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Saint Labre Indian School, 112 St. Labre Campus Drive, Ashland, Montana 59003 would be appreciated by the family.

The Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com