Muriel (Wilson) Buckley

Muriel C. (Wilson) Buckley, age 100, passed away on March 6,2025 in Great Falls, MT. Muriel was born to parents, Douglas N. Wilson, Sr. and Ethyl Louis (Lambie) Wilson in Great Falls on August 25, 1924.

She is a graduate of GFHS, and University of Montana (and member of Delta Gamma) with a B.A. in English. Muriel started working as a civil servant for the Veterans Administration where she met and later married Wallace M. Buckley, husband of 40 years, who passed away in 1988. After working for the VA for 10 years, she transferred to the USDA for the next 30 years until her retirement in 1984.

Muriel's family loved Glacier National Park and started annual expeditions to the park in 1913. From the time she was born to her 100th birthday party, Glacier Park was a beloved tradition. From canoeing and swimming in Lake McDonald, to Wally proposing to her on the boat dock at Lake McDonald Lodge, hikes to Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake, Granite Park, and Sperry Chalet. Muriel's enthusiasm for the park led her to ride horseback, seven miles, up to Sperry Chalet and hiking out the same day, at 85 years old, six months after a total knee replacement.

Muriel's family also enjoyed going up to the cabin in Monarch for over 30 years. They spent many summer weekends hiking, wading in Belt Creek, riding horses, and sitting around the fireplace.

Muriel's love for horses started at a young age, renting a horse at the fairgrounds, to owning horses with Wally for most of her life. Her first pack trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness was with the Campfire Girls

into Pretty Prairie. After marrying Wally, she went into the Middle Fork of the Flathead, North Fork of the Sun and up the Missouri River Breaks. Along with horses, her love of dogs was steadfast. From childhood dogs including Buff, to her and Wally's german shepards Thor and Joey, border collies Robby, Bonnie, Kelsey, and Laddy. She was never without a dog.

Muriel and Wally raised their two daughters, Carol and Susan, on their horse property on the banks of the Missouri River outside of Great Falls, enjoying horseback rides on a beautiful summer evening and wildlife on the island across the river. Muriel was also up for traveling to Yellowstone, Two Medicine, Many Glacier for various family birthdays.

In Muriel's free time, she volunteered at the YWCA, St. Ann's soup kitchen, and Overlook Park visitor center while enjoying playing golf, going to movies and lunch with her friends.

Muriel is survived by daughter, Carol (Rick) Rockstad and granddaughters, Laura (Evan) Akland, Megan (Reid) Fryhover, and Kara Rockstad and great-grandchildren, Tiegan Akland and Archer Fryover; daughter, Susan (John) Murnane, and grandchildren Luke (Julia) Murnane, Maria Murnane, and Sareena Murnane, and great-grandchild Quinn Murnane. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace M. Buckley; parents, Douglas and Ethyl (Lambie) Wilson, sisters, Helen Wilson and Peggy Person; and brother, Norman Wilson.

We love you mom, grandma, great grandma! We will miss you!

Memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Great Falls on April 12, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.