Barbara Gay (Eaton) Edgar

March 12, 1943 - September 21, 2026

Barbara Gay Edgar was born in Broadus, Montana, on March 12, 1943, to John and Elma Eaton. She spent her childhood near Savage and graduated from Dawson County High School in Glendive in 1961. After high school, she attended Eastern Montana College before returning home to Glendive.

It was there that Barbara met Larry Edgar. They courted through dances, long days together, and getting to know one another and on March 24, 1965, they were married in Glendive.

Barbara and Larry built a life together centered around family, horses, cattle and hard work. In the early 1970s, they bought and worked several ranches throughout Beaverhead County. Barbara was never one to sit on the sidelines. She worked alongside Larry, ranching and was quite a hand with horses and cattle herself.

Barbara also worked as a secretary at Western Montana College in Dillon and earned her Associate of Arts degree in late 1972. Eventually, Barbara and Larry moved to Twin Bridges, where they made their home and continued their ranching life in the Ruby Valley. In September 1973, they welcomed their only son, Chance.

Barbara loved horses, and she loved being horseback even more. She spent many years team roping and proudly won a buckle as a member of the Beaverhead Roping Club. She continued to hone her horsemanship as a member of the Madison County Saddle Tramps drill team. Whether she was working cattle, riding, or simply spending time with her horses, being around them was where she was happiest.

Barbara and Larry also enjoyed the simple things in life. During their years in Glendive and Dillon, they could often be found bowling together. She had a creative side that was every bit as strong as her practical one. Barbara loved crocheting, painting, and creating intricate needlepoint pieces. She took great pride in her work, and many of her creations were entered in the Madison County Fair, where they earned Grand Champion honors.

Later in life, Barbara and Larry traded ranching for another kind of work, selling real estate together. Barbara earned her real estate sales certification and worked concurrently for the Fifth Judicial District Youth Probation Office in Dillon, where she retired in 2007.

But more than any job, accomplishment, or award, Barbara was a mother and grandmother. She was immensely proud of her son, Chance, and was overjoyed when her only grandson, Pierce, came along. She loved watching Pierce grow and was always ready to tell anyone who would listen about what he was doing, what he had accomplished, and especially how much he loved sports. Being his grandmother was one of the great joys of her life.

Barbara is survived by her son, Chance (Dene') Edgar, and grandson, Pierce Edgar, of Twin Bridges and her sister, Marjorie Baisch of Glendive. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elma Eaton; her brother, John Eaton; and her husband, Larry Edgar.

The family is deeply grateful to the staff and residents of Beehive Homes of Dillon for the care, kindness, and friendship they gave Barbara.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 26, at the Twin Bridges Cemetery on Airport Road. Friends and family are invited to join together afterward for light refreshments and dessert at the family home on 822 Middle Road, Twin Bridges.