Mary Florence Turner Pugsley

Mary Huppert (Turner) Pugsley was born to Idell and Arnold Huppert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 5, 1954. She passed away on October 7, 2026.

Although the fireworks finished before her birthday, Mary’s sparkling personality lit up their growing family. She grew up in Wisconsin and Colorado with her two brothers, Allen and John, and her sister, Donna. She was a voracious reader. She played the piano, rode horses and was a proud Lambkin pom-pom girl. She graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and attended the University of Northern Colorado.

She married Steve Turner in 1975, and they moved from Colorado to Wyoming. There she tackled the challenges of being a young mother in a new place. As was her way, she forged friendships in Sheridan and Gillette that she would keep throughout her life. Mary worked as an aide at Conestoga Elementary, was a Girl Scout leader and taught aerobics. She met her current husband, Les, in Gillette, and with her daughter, Amy, they relocated returned to Colorado in 1987.

Throughout her life, Mary found joy and purpose in helping others. In Colorado, she worked as an administrative assistant for Dive Rescue International. After she moved to Montana, she became a certified massage therapist and for many years led fitness classes. Mary and Les moved to Pugsley Ranch in 1995, a huge change for someone who had lived in urban towns. Mary found her place in ranch life and Chester. It wasn’t long before she recognized that Montana was where she belonged. One of the many ways she expressed her love was by preparing food, and she was an excellent baker. She enjoyed caring and providing for everyone on the ranch, in her community, and especially for Les.

If there was one thing to remember about Mary, it was that she could find the good in anyone or anything. She drew upon her strong faith to be a positive force in the world. She was generous, kind, and loyal. If you needed her, she would move mountains to be there for you.

Mary deeply loved Pugsley Ranch. She often found peace sitting on her porch, especially when her flowers were blooming; watching the Marias River with her beloved canine companion Marley at her side.

Mary is survived by her husband, Les; her daughter, Amy Turner and husband Dave; her mother, Idell Huppert; her brother, Allen Huppert and his wife Nancy; her sister, Donna Boner and her husband Tom; and her brother, John Huppert and his wife Renee; as well as extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Arnold Huppert.

A celebration of life will be held in November, details to follow.