Margaret Gorder

Margaret Gorder, 86, of Havre, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2014, at Benefis Medical Center in Great Falls of natural causes.  A visitation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel.  Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Michael O'Hearn officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery.  The family has requested that memorials be made in Margaret's name to First Lutheran Church, the Montana State University–Northern Scholarship Fund, or the charity of the donor's choice.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements, and you can leave your memories and condolences for the family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Margaret was born on July 14, 1927, in Havre to Walter and Velma (Austin) Cross. She was raised in Rudyard, graduating from Rudyard High School in 1945. After high school, Margaret worked for United Buckingham in Havre, and while there, she met Norman Gorder, whom she married in June 1947.  The couple made their home in Havre, raising their six children there. Margie worked for United Buckingham, Clyde's In & Out, and The Shanty Motel, before working for JC Penney for more than 20 years. She retired in 1989, but didn't stop working.  Her volunteering kept her busy. Margie was a very social woman who volunteered at the hospital, kept busy with church work, was a Welcome Wagon lady, and was a member of the Red Hat Club, the Bridge Club and TOPS.   She was an active member of First Lutheran Church, especially in the Lois Circle and Bible Study. But her first priority was always her family.

  All who knew Margie witnessed her zest for life, ready to drop everything when Norm said, Let's go," and head off to visit relatives and friends across the country, to participate in whatever her daughters or son were planning, her love of travel, her sense of style, her canned goods (ready dessert for those winter meals along with all the jams and jellies, especially her chokecherry syrup and creative rhubarb specials). Her pie crusts won the hearts of all her daughters' husbands. Margie's faith and devotion to First Lutheran Church gave her strength to face whatever life handed to her. She sang in the church choir for years, was involved with WELCA (Women's Ministry), and made lefse for the annual lutefisk dinner. 

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Velma Cross; her grandson, Bart Nolan; her sisters, Virginia Brandt and Florence Johnson; and her brothers, Charles and Donnie Cross.

She is survived by Norm, her beloved husband of 66 years, of Havre; her daughters, Wanda (Robert) Brock of Marathon, Florida, Julee (John) Christian of Havre, Norma (Jim) MacKenzie of Whitefish, Shelley (Dr. Mike) Nolan of Havre, son Chris (Kathy) Gorder of Billings, and daughter Cindy (Randy) Bebee of Whitefish; her 16 grandchildren; her 19 great-grandchildren; her sisters Velma Johnson of Great Falls, and Norma Jewett of Seattle, Washington; and her nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Margie left behind a legacy of love through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.