Marjorie Dahinden

Marjorie Lois Gannon Dahinden was born on March 9, 1929 in Tifton, Georgia to Thomas and Gertrude (Moran) Gannon. She was the oldest of five children. The family moved to Sunburst, Montana when Marjie was an infant and she spent her childhood in North Toole County. In her early years, her responsibilities at home included caring for her 3 younger sisters and a brother. This was the beginning of a life of caring for others, which she continued until she passed.

Marjie attended Sunburst High School and graduated in 1947. During her years as a Sunburst Refiner, she played saxophone in the band, sang in the chorus, school plays, girls club and was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and choir. Her faith was always the center of her life and after graduation, Marjie chose to continue her education in a place where education and faith co-existed, the College of Great Falls. While there, she pursued a degree in education in order to become a teacher. With 3 years and 2 quarters of college behind her, she took a job student teaching at a country school near the Sweetgrass Hills. As Marjie later described it, she didn’t return to school to finish her final quarter because “life got in the way” after she met and married Vern Dahinden on November 24, 1951. However, the College of Great Falls awarded her the “first ever” honorary degree granting her an education degree when she was 90 years old.

For the next 40 years, Marjie cared for her family and helped on the farm. As an active community member, she was on the board of the Liberty County Arts Council and Library, taught religious education and was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Parish and PCCW. She loved to read, listen to music, research family history and photography. Seventy-six years later, she still called the family wheat farm her “home.” Marjie will be remembered for love for her family and steadfast faith, pride in her 100% Irish heritage, her beautiful singing voice and her friendly, outgoing personality. She encouraged her family to always be humble and give back to others since they were created in the image of God. Marjie modeled this to others every day of her life.

Marjie was preceded in death by her husband, Vern Dahinden; her parents; her 3 sisters, Shirley, Nancy and Sheila; and twin grandsons, Joseph and Lucas Dahinden. Her survivors include: her brother, Jerry Gannon, her children, Anna (Mike) Flynn of Helena, Virginia (Locky) Edwards of Big Sandy, Steve (Jill) Dahinden of Joplin, Greg (Susan) Dahinden of Tualatin, Oregon, Joe (Julie) Dahinden of Bozeman, and Tom (Tanya) Dahinden of Billings; grandchildren, Erin, Laura, Katie, Logan, Holly, Kristina, Evan, Tyler, Cody and Blake; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Molly, Ben, Lochlan, Sean, Graham, and Claire; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marjie passed peacefully on October 10, 2025 while surrounded by her children. God bless you always, Mom, and thank you for everything. We love you and we will forever miss you.

Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Liberty County Ambulance.

Vigil service will be Thursday, October 23, at 6pm. Funeral mass will be Friday, October 24, at 10am. All services will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church.