Joan Marie "Bibs" (Kronmiller) Ragland

Joan Marie Kronmiller Ragland, known to nearly all friends and family as “Bibs,” passed away May 9, 2024, in hospice care at her home at Westpark Village in Billings. She was 91.

Bibs was born on April 15, 1933, in Hardin. She was the second of four children born to Hardin attorney Bert Wilson Kronmiller and his wife, Josephine (nee Bednar).

Bibs obtained her lifelong nickname from her older brother, Bert Jr. As a toddler, Bert referred to his baby sister as “Bibby,” in an attempt to say, “baby.” Over time, the nickname evolved into “Bibs.”

The Kronmillers spent many summers visiting Silver Gate, Montana, and riding the train to Omaha, Nebraska (a perk of Bert Sr.’s legal representation of the railroad). Bibs gained a lifelong love of travel from her family’s many outings.

Bibs attended Hardin High School, where she met her husband of more than 70 years, Jerry Ragland. At Hardin High, Bibs was heavily involved in school activities, serving as her class secretary, president of FHA, and editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. She graduated in 1951 and was married to Jerry later that same year.

While in high school, Bibs worked with her older brother, Bert, at the Big Horn Drug soda fountain (known to locals at the time as “Archie’s”). She also worked on the Ragland family farm during the summer (so she could spend more time with Jerry, of course).

Following high school, Bibs moved to Bozeman, where Jerry was playing football at Montana State College, now Montana State University. She completed her freshman year, hoping to become a nurse, but left school to become a full-time mother. Bibs and Jerry had three daughters: Jan (born 1953), Jill (born 1956) and Pam (born 1963).

Jerry joined the United States Air Force, and with her husband, Bibs moved to such places as Tucson, Arizona; Spokane, Washington; Torrington, Wyoming; Carbondale, Illinois; and Millard, Nebraska, now part of Omaha, where she worked as a school nurse assistant. They finally returned to Montana in the early 1970s, settling in the Billings Heights.

After just a few short years and the graduation of their daughter, Pam, from Billings Senior High in the early 1980s, Bibs and Jerry moved to a ranch near Absarokee. The Raglands raised sheep and cattle on the ranch, which is now known as the White Deer Ranch.

In 1976, Bibs began a job as a receptionist at the office of orthodontist “Buddy” Kastrop. Following the move to the ranch, Bibs made the daily commute to and from Billings. She worked in the office for 21 years before retiring in April of 1997. For years after retirement, former patients and their parents would recognize Bibs and comment on how much she was missed.

In 1990, the couple moved back to their home in Billings, where they lived together until Jerry’s death in 2022.

Like her husband, Bibs was a committed Christ follower and supported Jerry’s work as a member of the Gideons. Bibs served her church community through kitchen groups, cookie baking, jail ministry and other activities. She was especially glad to find a church home at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Billings.

Bibs was a dedicated and beloved grandmother, attending activities, graduations, weddings and other events in support of her 11 grandkids. She was well known for her popcorn balls, among other treats. Bibs also became an honorary grandma of the neighborhood kids later in life.

She loved animals from an early age — especially dogs — from her bulldog, Moon, to her St. Bernard, King, to her ranch dogs, Odie and Mike, to her barn cat, Cinder.

Following Jerry’s death, Bibs moved to Westpark Village Senior Living Community in Billings. There, she was known for always being positive, greeting others with a smile, and was considered to be a sweet lady and a gracious host.

To family, Bibs was an irreplaceable mother, grandmother, aunt and sister. Her infectious smile and sense of humor matched the personalities of her three siblings perfectly. She loved to serve others (“come sit down and eat!” was a common phrase from her daughters and grandkids when she got too busy hosting holiday and birthday dinners). Her love of family and friendly demeanor left an unerasable mark on those who were privileged enough to know her. She will be especially missed at Kronmiller Family reunions.

Bibs was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 71 years, Gerald D. “Jerry” Ragland; parents Bert W. Kronmiller Sr. and Josephine Bednar Kronmiller; older brother Bert Kronmiller Jr.; younger brother Patrick Kronmiller; brother-in-law Sam Ragland; sister-in-law Wilma “Billie” Redding. She is survived by her younger sister, Myrna Kronmiller Simon (Ron) of Polson; daughters Jan Doak of Billings, Jill Kavanaugh of Janesville, Wisconsin and Pam Carpenter (Joe) of Squaw Gap, North Dakota; grandchildren Lindsey Kavanaugh Sahami (Sina), Griffin Doak (Natalie), Justin Kavanaugh (Rachel), Bryce Doak (Kami), Cassie Carpenter, Chase Doak, Ryan Kavanaugh (Tamera), Colin Kavanaugh (Felicia), Cole Carpenter (Kellene), Carlie Carpenter and Clay Carpenter (Brianna); and many nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life and reception will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 328 S. Shiloh Road in Billings, at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 16. Bibs’ remains will be interred at Yellowstone National Cemetery north of Laurel at 2 p.m. Thursday. Family have requested that donations in Bibs’ name be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Billings or to Gideons International.