M. Jae (Mary) Gilkerson

MALTA - M. Jae (Mary) Gilkerson went to be with the Lord on July 29, 2018, after a long battle with cancer. The family received friends Sunday, August 5, 2018, at 7 p.m. at Kirkwood Memorial Chapel. Funeral services were Monday, August 6, 2018, at 12 p.m. at Kirkwood Memorial Chapel. Interment will be in the Malta Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

She was born in Billings, Mont., to Jefferson Davis Bittick and Julia Marie Johnson on August 5, 1946. She had two brothers Jerry and Bill and two sisters Judy and Sally.

She graduated from Billings West High School in 1964, then moved to Wisconsin and worked at General Electric. She met her husband Mike on the train while she was returning to Wisconsin after visiting her family in Billings.

She started working in health care as a nurse's aide, then went to school and got her certificate as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She continued her education to become a Registered Nurse. She worked in the hospitals at Billings, Lewistown and finally Malta, where she retired after 25 years.

She liked to take her dog Wylie on the 4-wheeler around Malta, playing golf and hunting for petrified wood, which she polished. When wanting to travel, she loved to ride her Harley Softail motorcycle.

She is survived by her husband Mike of 52 years, three sons: Michael (Laura), Marcus (Lauren), Matthew (Sue), grandkids: Whitney, Sarah, Michael Jon, Taylor, Shawn, Skylar and Rio, her sister Sally Bittick of Billings, sister in laws Margo (Dave) Jaumotte, Jane (Jerry) Hoffman and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was one of a kind and will be missed by all who knew her.