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.jpg) Hello,
We just received the save the date for your reunion. I wanted to let you know for your records that Margie Gillett Laknar passed away on Dec. 30, 2010. We hope that you all have a wonderful time at the reunion. Is there some way my family can contribute in her honor?
Thank you,
Marti Laknar
(Daughter)
Here is Margie's obituary sent by her daughter Marti:
Margaret "Margie" Gillett Laknar died Dec. 30, 2010, in Billings, following an extended illness. Margie was born May 6, 1947, in Lewistown, to James C. Gillett and Margaret Scally Gillett. In 1965, Margie graduated from Billings Senior High School, where she was active in athletics. She graduated from Montana State University in 1969 with a bachelor of science degree. Later, she earned a masters degree from the University of Montana Western.
In college, Margie was one of the key players on MSU's first women's basketball team. During her senior year,the team won the conference championship. She was elected Sportswoman of the Year. She was president of the Women's Athletic Association Club. Margie was always a "Bobcat".
While attending MSU, she met her husband, Larry Laknar, from Dillon.They were married June 15, 1968. After college, they moved to Dillon and had two children, Loran and Marti. Upon retirement from the Montana Youth Challenge Program,Margie moved to Billings to be with the love of her life, her granddaughter, Madi; daughter, Marti; more sports events; and to be near premier medical facilities for her health issues.
Margie is survived by her husband, Larry of Dillon; son Loran (Tracy) Laknar and children, Gage and Lauren of Dillon; daughter Marti Laknar and child Madi of Billings; brothers, Fred (Glena) Gillett of Lewistown, Dean Gillett of Tobyhanna, Pa.; sisters, Veronica (Tom) Flood of Lovell, Wyo., Kathie(Larry)Smith of Billings, Jami (Tracy) Collins of Cody, Wyo.; nieces and nephews, cousins, great-nieces nephews, and many loving friends.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at the Brundage Funeral Home in Dillon. At Margie's request, please do not send flowers. Donations and memorials may be made to the Montana Youth Challenge Foundation, c/o Jan Rouse, 790Cornell St., Dillon, MT 59725; or a charity of one's choice.
Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/margaret-gillett-
laknar/article_7522e3a3-39bf-5624-8b96-761f0695e52d.html#ixzz3OTtip4xI
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David Butler
One of the tragedies of our high school years was that girls had almost no opportunities to participate in sports. I believe the only interscholastic sport for women was tennis, where Jane Nordlund, Karen Frick, and Barbie Thomas excelled. Otherwise, nothing . . .
It is painful to think about the stars that might have been. Just from good old Broadwater, I think of athletes like Jeanne Hieb (the fastest runner at the school, girl or boy), Kitty Carlson, Sally Sullivan, and Elaine Brambo (one of Broadwater's very best softball players and someone who could have been an all-state point guard). No doubt I am forgetting many others.
And now I find out that Margie Gillett starred on the Bobcat basketball team - MSU Sportswoman of the Year! How many other great athletes did we go to school with who never got to compete, never got to show their talents? Senior High would have been a powerhouse.
So belatedly, here's to all you women! We knew how good you were - that's why you were among the first to be chosen when we made up sides on the playground. Title IX came a decade too late . . .
Kim Nybo (Gambish)
David expressed my thoughts beautifully. Margie made great contributions and accomplishments. Thank you for letting us know. Sincerely, Kim Nybo Gambish
Jim Hopper
I found this in the 1968 Yearbook from MSU.