Mary Gee Obituary

Our much-loved Mary Jane "Tookie" Gee, 98, of Big Timber, Montana left us on February 6, 2026. On January 19, 1928, Tookie blessed the Henry and Ruth Berg family as the second born of eight siblings, the only girl of the family. There is a great letter written by her father, describing the lengthy trip in the middle of January in a horse drawn wagon to Harlowton where Tookie was born. With seven loving brothers Tookie always had a friend nearby, even into her later years where the group was always willing to gather and reminisce over a game of cards.

She grew up playing cards and remained an avid card player right up to her final days. Anyone who knew Tookie would agree that a memory we are all able to share is playing cards no matter where she went. Her favorite game was Bridge, where she was known for bidding slams. She played in many bridge leagues in Big Timber, and started "Tookie Bridge" which she hosted weekly for years. The winner was then given a shout out on her yearly calendar.

When Tookie graduated from high school in Big Timber, she went to summer school and taught at a small country school near Bridger Creek at the young age of 17. She went on to college at the University of Montana and continued to teach in country schools for several years. She shared stories of winters teaching and living in the school house on her own without electricity, and teaching kids just a few years younger than her.

Sometime in the late 1940s, Tookie and her lifelong friend Gert went to a dance in Big Timber where they met both their husbands, Lawrence Gee and Don Hemphill, who were high school friends from Rapelje. The story goes that the gentlemen had heard of a couple of red heads in Big Timber, and at this dance their story began. The Hemphill and Gee children are still close lifelong friends, with many memories of the two families growing up alongside one another.

Tookie married Lawrence Gee on November 11, 1950. In their early years of marriage, they lived in Big Timber, where Lawrence worked as a carpenter before moving back to the Gee ranch south of Rapelje. There they raised their 3 children, Janet (Blondie), Mick, and Jim. Friends and family alike carry fond memories of the ranch. Tookie learned to be a 'ranch' cook from her mother Ruth, and has many recipes still used by her family today. In Rapelje, Tookie worked at the post office, was a school secretary, and loved going to Columbus to bowl with her friends (where they often placed 1st in the women's league).

With seven brothers and too many cousins to count, Tookie was always around family. One of her favorite events was 'Cuzzin's Reunion' each summer where the "Society of Gabriel" joined together and still does to this day 73 years later. Cuzzin's Reunion has allowed the large family a time to get together each year, where all can share memories with lots of card playing, singing songs, baseball games, and meetings with 'riff raff'.

In her later years, Tookie became an avid reader, often reading multiple books at the same time. One of her favorite places to spend time was the Carnegie Public Library in Big Timber, and Tookie always loved a good book recommendation no matter the subject.

To summarize a life well lived in a few short paragraphs is challenging to say the least. Every person who interacted with Tookie has a story filled with love, lots of laughter, and card playing. The love and memories she shared with family and friends is a blessing her entire family and close friends will hold onto forever. Tookie touched everyone who knew her, loved deeply, and appreciated anyone willing to set time aside to come over just to visit. We are all grateful to have been blessed by Tookie for 98 years. Being 98, there are not many of her older friends or family remaining. She is survived by her daughter Blondie (Jim) Wolff and son Mick (Cheri) Gee along with many grandkids and great grandkids. Also surviving are two of her brothers, Lloyd and Glenn Berg and her sisters-in-law Joni, Linda K., and Holly Berg. We have solace in knowing Tookie now can be with her husband Lawrence, her son Jim, her parents, her brothers and so many dear friends and relatives who left before her.

Tookie's service will be held at the Big Timber Lutheran Church on Saturday February 14th at 1pm. Should friends or family desire, memorials may be made to the Carnegie Public Library or the Hospitality House Senior Citizen Center in Big Timber.

To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.stenbergfuneralhome.com