So sad to see you go……. yet our hearts are filled with peace!

Judith A. Fiedler, 88, of Stanford, MT, traveled over the “Great Divide” on Friday, December 15, 2023, with her daughters by her side. Judy was born on April 18, 1935, in Salinas, CA, to Armin and Marion Neubert, and joined older brother, Armin Jr. to complete the family. She spent her early childhood in California where her family owned a produce cold storage facility. In 1950, she and her Folks moved to their “RW Ranch” out of Stanford, Montana. Judy spent all but a few years of her life on the RW, in the foothills of the Little Belt Mountains, always able to see her beloved “Baldy” and “Sleeping Lady”.

She graduated from Stanford High School in 1953, and then headed to Montana State University where she was active in the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and the Rodeo Team. She won an all-around title and became the MSU rodeo queen in 1956. Always proud to be a Montana State Bobcat, she attended several MSU reunions, the last being in 2017, her 60th! With an elementary education degree, she proudly spent one year teaching first graders at Whittier Elementary in Great Falls.

On December 10, 1959, she married James Fiedler. They made their home on the Neubert homestead where they ranched and raised their three kids, Jan, Jimmy and Jean, and instilled in them the strongest work ethic and love for their cattle and the land. Always available and willing to help on the ranch, she was our “weed warrior”, spending many hours spraying weeds, as well as being a miracle worker for sick or injured animals and riding with her family. She was a perfectionist in everything she did, from her home, to cooking and baking, her penmanship, ranch bookkeeping and to the way she presented herself. Mom was a spectacular cook and baker. Many meals were made with love and pride for family, friends and ranch employees. She loved shopping for and refinishing antiques, the Western Art show, a new batch of kittens or puppies, a faithful dog, a good-looking grey horse, her yearly hike in Glacier Park with friends, wildlife, wildflowers, good food, and an uncontrollable tear-filled laugh. Baba, as she was known by her grandchildren, had absolute joy being with them. Always the schoolteacher, she loved to read books to them and take them on a nature adventure! Our Mother was very private, soft-spoken and kindhearted. She possessed strong moral values and lived her life faithful to God.

Survivors include daughter, Jan (Ned) Ward, and their daughter, Bell Ward, all of Sheridan, Wyoming; her late son, Jim’s children, Frank (Kirstie) Fiedler, Garth (Shelby) Fiedler all of Stanford, and Addie (Will) Held of Townsend; daughter, Jean (Todd) Klick, of Simms and their children, Katy Griffen (Aaron) of Fort Shaw and Nora Klick of Simms; and her daughter in law, Pam Fiedler of Stanford; eight grandchildren, Heidi, James, and Lane Fiedler, Zoey, Lexi and Tate Fiedler, Knox Held, and Ruby Griffen.

In addition to her son, James Armin Fiedler, she was preceded in death by her parents, Armin and Marion Neubert; and her brother, Armin Neubert Jr.

A service will be Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Stanford Presbyterian Church, followed by a short graveside burial at Stanford Cemetery. A gathering to celebrate Judy’s life will be at the church fellowship hall after burial.

Condolences may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.