Margaret "Merle" Mikes

Merle Mikes, 84, passed away due to natural causes on October 4, 2020, at Peace Hospice. She was born on September 29, 1936, in Great Falls to parents, Edwin R. and Margaret (Cummings) Freiboth. For the next 18 years, Merle would reside outside of Cascade on her parents’ ranch with her older sister, Carol Rae. When she was little, one of her best friends was her pig, Squeaky, whom she wrote about to the local radio station, and whose story was shared with listeners. In 1954, she graduated from Cascade High School. Following graduation, she married Harold D. Mikes Sr., and settled in Great Falls where they would begin their family. They would later relocate to Castner Falls to raise their four children. Merle had many loves in life including landscaping, gardening, golfing, and sketching drawings for letters and greeting cards. But nothing gave her more pleasure than spending time with her children and spoiling her grandchildren. Her love, admiration, and pride for each had no bounds, and not one was spared her bragging. She boasted of their successes, how good-looking they were, and above all, how they were the joys of her life. In retirement, following a career with the US Post Office, Merle and her long-time partner Lynn Taskila opened Accents and Antiques, an antique store in Great Falls. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, and parents, Edwin and Margaret. Margaret is survived by her very special friend, Lynn Taskila of Great Falls; son, H. Dean (Cindy) Mikes Jr., their children, Devin, Nacole, and Nathan Mikes of Missoula; son, Wesley (Kim) Mikes, their son, Jordan Mikes, and two great-grandchildren, Gavin and Blair Mikes of Huntington Beach, CA; daughter, Josie (Steve) Gordon, their children, Dain and Ahnna Gordon of Cascade; son, Tracy (Kelly) Mikes of Cascade; and sister, Carol Rae Green of North Carolina. Merle will also be forever celebrated by her numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. A private family memorial service will be held at the Cascade Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to The ALS Association, Evergreen Chapter (19226 66th Ave S, #L-105 Kent, WA 98032) http://memorial.alsa-ec.org or Peace Hospice Foundation/Landscaping (1200 25th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405) Foundation@Benefis.org. Tree of Life This Tree of Life symbolizes our family’s strength and love, with sheltering guidance from Heaven above. Our family roots help us and wherever we may go, traditions are passed as love continues to grow. The branches connect us to become the best we can be, planting seeds of hope in times of adversity. ~Merle Mikes