April Dawn Gifford

April Dawn Gifford, known for her cheerful smile and vibrant personality, passed away peacefully at home on March 15th. She was 52. She had a lengthy battle and beat the odds with the beast of pancreatic cancer. Born in the heart of Texas to Terry and Kathy Wilkins, she grew up following her dad around the world with the Army. She married her husband Bob in 2000 and supported him through multiple military deployments. Her strength and perseverance were boundless and she enjoyed helping people. She loved history and visited many historical sites. Her favorite was Tinian, an island pivotal in WW II. She and the family settled outside of Roundup, Montana, in 2015 to enjoy some quiet time and a slower pace. She enjoyed traveling, waterfalls, and snow.

April’s cancer journey revealed her extraordinary resilience. Even as she faced the challenges of treatment, she continued to embrace life with the same spirit that defined her. She found solace in the little things. Her fight was not just against her illness but also for the time to create more memories with the people she loved most.

April leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and a life well-lived. She will be remembered as a passionate, caring, and fiercely loving individual who always left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

April is preceded in death by her mother Kathy. She is survived by her father Terry, loving husband Bob, and her amazing children Branden, Victoria, Mara, and Elizabeth.

Her Celebration of Life will be at the First United Methodist Church in Roundup on Saturday the 22nd, 10am viewing, 11am service. Burial and graveside service will be at 2pm in Billings at the Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in April’s name to The Seena Magowitz Foundation, the Epilepsy Foundation or a local charity that she would support.

Her name was Grief, and she came uninvited,

A shadowed guest where love once resided.

She spoke in whispers, soft yet profound,

Echoes of loss that had no sound.

Her touch was heavy, and her presence stayed,

In every corner where memories played.

She wore the scent of tears unshed,

A haunting reminder of words unsaid.

But in her eyes, a truth was shown,

That love endures, though we're alone.

For Grief is love that’s lost its place,

A bittersweet ache we all must face.

Her name was Grief, but she taught me this:

Cherish the moments, treasure the bliss.

For in the pain, a love remains,

A bond unbroken by life's cruel chains.

Poet: Unknown