Obituary: Mardella Bieber Brock
Author: Family of Mardella Bieber Brock
Mardella Bieber Brock
Family of Mardella Bieber Brock
Mardella Bieber Brock died December 8, 2024, in her 92nd year, peacefully with family by her side.
Born in McKenzie County, ND to William and Elsa Beyl Bieber, her early childhood homes were the several farms in eastern MT where her parents lived and worked during the depression years.
At age 8 she moved with her family to the Townsend, MT area where they remained sharecropping, then eventually owning their farm. Here school buses replaced the early long walks to school, but no indoor plumbing or telephone until long after WWII. Eldest of fourteen siblings, she learned the care of children plus farm, field, garden and housework early in life.
Education was important to her parents, even more to Mardella. Enjoying books, learning, and her teachers, she decided to become a teacher by second grade, later became a teacher's aide and helped schoolmates during study hall; she never wavered from this goal. In fact her many-faceted church and community volunteer activities were focused on issues facing children, women, and parents. After graduating from Broadwater County High School, she worked a year, then attended Western Mt College of Education for the 2-year Elementary Ed certificate.
After seventeen years of teaching, homemaking, and supporting her husband’s business, she completed her BS in Elementary Ed at MSU; years later returned for classes in Art Education. In 1975 community classes turned her career to Ceramics, which she did part-time for nearly 40 years, often teaching, whether Artist in Residence in schools, intergenerational on her driveway in summer or groups of adults.
Mardella met Bruce Brock while teaching at the Montana Children's Center, home to neglected and abused children; they were married May 27, 1957, at her parents' farm home near Townsend, MT. Since they had purchased the Livingston, MT Dairy Queen a month earlier, they were immediately at work. Part-time teaching ensued and two sons and a daughter were born during this time.
A few years later they invested in A to Z Rental business which led to joining the Bozeman one in 1969. The family moved to Bozeman where they remained and Mardella continued her church and community involvement. She was active in and/or led many organizations, among them the ecumenical Church Women United which served many areas of need, plus her own church women's groups. She and Bruce helped start Habitat for Humanity, were involved in International Visitors. She served on a Youth Justice Court and with Family Promise, led AFS International and supported many others.
Family events were treasured. Growing years included music, lifetime sports, skiing, hiking, camping, exploring the mountains, picnics, a neighborhood 4H club, a myriad of school activities, helping in Dad's business and time with the many relatives, especially cousins. There was always room for another at the table with potlucks her specialty.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce Brock, and by sons, Neil (Annett) Brock, Paul (Sherreen) Brock, daughter Carol (Larry) Berg--also grandchildren Brandee (Sean) Hay, Randon Brock, and Jacob Berg. Siblings Bill (Betty) Bieber, Tim (Kim) Bieber, Irene (Allan) Brug, Carynn (Phillip) LeMieux, Arlene (Rick) Rader and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother: Elmer, LeRoy, Nathan, Dennis and Jonathan Bieber plus sisters: Elaine Lucas, Julia Dowling, Gloria Hasker.
Thank you to the many folks who have touched her life, caretakers, medical personnel, family and friends; there were no strangers. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
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