Margaret Duke

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Margaret "Nell" Duke went home to be with Our Lord, March 29, 2010. Nell was born September 11, 1922 in Cody, WY, to Bill and Avis O'Neill. Her parents were contemporaries of Buffalo "Bill" Cody, during the early days, which allowed her to truly grow up in a western setting. Nell grew up in Cody, and graduated from Cody High School. She attended Woodbury Business College in Los Angeles, CA. After graduation, she entered the Women's Army Corps. Upon leaving the Army, Nell returned to Cody to help her parents operate the Pawnee Hotel (now the Chamberlin Inn).The Pawnee Hotel, after the war, was the bus stop for Continental Trailways. Nell met a bus driver, Galen Duke, who had served in the Army Air Corps. Their love blossomed from that point and they were married on March 6, 1946. Nell and Galen had two children. They moved to Billings in 1951. Galen and Nell celebrated 59 years of marriage. Nell enjoyed being a homemaker for many years. When her children were older, she began working at PAYS (Public Auction Yards) in Billings, as an accountant. From there, she went to Billings Livestock as an accountant, until her retirement. Nell and Galen enjoyed traveling, and being with family and friends. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, cooking and serving Central Christian Church. Nell was blessed to have all members of her immediate family living within the Billings area. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, especially holidays and special family events. Nell is survived by her son, Bill (Sheryl) Duke, grandson Brian (Kara) Duke, great-granddaughter Morgan Nicole, granddaughter Kristin (Dan) Houser and great-granddaughter, Madylin Briann; daughter Jacque Duke; her sister, Ann Tindall, all of Billings. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Galen in 2005.Visitation will be Wednesday 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Thursday 10:00am - 12:00 pm at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 1 at 2:00 pm at Central Christian Church. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens.The family is requesting donations to be sent to Central Christian Church or the charity of your choice. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com