Mom went home peacefully, in her sleep on January 8th, 2026 with family by her side.

(This was written by Mom at the request of the assisted living facility when she moved in.)

Mary Alice Duty Kindle

I was born in Lewiston, Idaho on July 18, 1937 to Margaret Morris and W. Earl Duty. Only lived there for about a year and then the family moved to Grandpa Morris's homestead about 25 miles SE of Malta, MT on Beaver Creek. Two sisters, Betty and Beverly and one brother, John joined the family. I was the oldest so got to help Dad with haying, working cattle, driving machinery and did a lot of horseback work which I enjoyed.

Attended Bowdoin, Harb, and Beaver Creek country schools 1st thru 8th grade.

When the weather got tough Mom would home school us. I was the only student in my class most years and there was a total of 10 to 14 students in the schools. The family moved to Malta and I graduated from Malta High School in 1955. I attended Northern Montana College and earned a two-year teaching degree. I taught for two years in rural schools around Phillips County.

I married and divorced and then married Fred Kindle in 1963. We had two sons, Bryan and Jack, who joined an adopted son TJ from the first marriage. We built a new house on top of a hill at Bowdoin. Made it our home for over 30 years. Still say it was the best place I lived. Was a rancher’s wife, mother and so forth.

Enjoyed life and helping wherever needed with ranch work. Loved to be outdoors gardening, working in the yard, working cattle and enjoyed baking and especially breads.

The youngest son Jack was killed in a car accident just before his 16th birthday in 1985.

I have fought and won five different cancer bouts including lung, kidney, breast, throat and skin and I was diagnosed with lymphoma last July. I am wore out and choosing not to fight this one.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, husband Fred, son Jack, sisters Betty Smith and Beverly Fleming (Roger) and brother in law Floyd Kindle (Sharon).

She is survived by her brother John Duty (Sandy), brother in law Ray Kindle (Rose), sons Thomas (TJ) Kindle (Millie), Bryan Kindle (Sam), and grandchildren Frank (Sandra), Reese (Jen), Kristen (Mike), Robert, Patrick, and Sawyer (Renee) and great grand's Marcy and Rowen. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.