Mary Jane (Dardis) Tanberg

Mary Jane (Dardis) Tanberg, 90, a former resident of Great Falls and Missoula, died of natural causes and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Billings, with family at her side.

Mary Jane was born in Great Falls on May 14, 1925, to William and Anna (Rasmussen) Dardis. She was raised in Great Falls and attended local schools.

At age 17, she joined the war effort as a "Rosie the Riveter" in Long Beach Calif., riveting panels on B-24s. During the war, she met a GI assigned to the 7th Ferry Group at Gore Field named Rex Tanberg. They were married on April 26, 1944 in Great Falls. Together, they raised six children in Great Falls.

Mary Jane and Rex Sr. owned and operated Leisure Lodge in Seeley Lake, which was a family project for 17 years. She loved the lake and could often be seen in the morning fishing in the mist on the calm lake and listening to the loons call.

Mary Jane was an avid snow and water skier and encouraged her children to ski as well. She was a gifted artist, and painting, sketching and pottery were her passions. The fruits of her hobbies became cherished keepsakes for friends and family. She was a hardworking woman, loving mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Mary Jane is survived by six children, Rex Jr. (Marlene) of Great Falls, Tim (Karen) of Seeley Lake, Pam Barefield (Ed) of Missoula, Judy Gerhardt of Durango, Colo., Mark (Tammy) of Lakeside and Jeanne (Doug) Hall of Potomac; 17 grandchildren; 22 great- grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two sisters and two brothers.

Cremation has occurred and a springtime memorial is in planning.