Mardella Mae "Mardie" Vaagen

Mardella Mae Vaagen passed away on October 20, 2025, at Residential Living, Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana.

Mardella was born July 23, 1936 to Erwin and Elsie Mohl at Mannhaven, North Dakota, The family moved to Minnesota in the 1930's and then to Oregon in the 1940's.

Mardella started elementary school in Scappoose, Oregon. The family moved back to North Dakota in the mid 1940's residing on a farm north of Hazen, North Dakota. She graduated from Taylor High School in Taylor, North Dakota and Bismarck Junior College. She married Marvin O. Vaagen on June 3, 1956, and her daughter Deeon joined the family.

They moved to Glendive, Montana where her son Paul completed the family. She was employed with the Montana Department of Transportation while she was there. A move to Miles City was next and continued employment with the Montana Department of Transportation for the next 33 years.

Mardella enjoyed the great outdoors – hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, cooking, and baking. After she retired, she took up quilting, a hobby she thoroughly enjoyed.
Preceding Marcella in death were her parents, brothers Ruthyn (Gladys) Mohl and Leon Mohl; her husband Marvin; daughter Deeon (Mike) Bickle; and grandsons Matthew Bickel and Scott Bickle.

She is survived by her son Paul; son-in-law Mike Bickle; grandson Randy Bickle; granddaughters Rychele Markuson and Autumn Cagel; great grandchildren Kaden Bickle, Arlo Bickle and Eeanor Cagle.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mardella's name to Trinity Lutheran Church in Miles City or the Custer County Food Bank.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, with family receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Per her request, there will not be a funeral service. Private Family Graveside Services will take place in the family lot of Custer County Cemetery.