Karen Jeanne Montgomery (Meyer), age 79, of Gillette, Wyoming, passed away July 22, 2026 of cancer and a broken heart just five days after death of her beloved husband of 55 years, George Guy Montgomery who died on July 17, 2026 of complications of surgery.

Karen was born January 19, 1947 in Watertown, South Dakota to Russell and Gladys Meyer. She graduated from High School in Sturgis, South Dakota. Karen worked in healthcare for nearly fifty years, first as a nurse’s aide, and then as a registered nurse. She worked in geriatrics and dearly loved her residents and the staff, who she was privileged to serve.

George was born May 7, 1944, in Rapid City South Dakota to George and Helen Mae Montgomery. George grew up in Whitewood and graduated from Sturgis High School. In 1966 he received a low draft number so if he was going to be in military, he was going to be best he could be, so he joined the Marine Corps. George served with distinction in Vietnam and rose to the rank of Sargeant before exiting the Corps in 1969.

On Valentine’s Day 1970 he met the love of his life Karen at a dance in St. Onge, South Dakota. George took Karen on their second date for an airplane ride and flew past the faces of Mount Rushmore.

They married on August 22, 1970 in Mobridge, South Dakota. In July of 1971 their son Nathan was born. In December of 1972 Daughter Jeannie was born. The family moved to Bismark, North Dakota and Daughter Delana was born in 1975. Son Arthur was born in 1977. That same year the family moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota where George worked for the Department of Energy and eventually the University of North Dakota.

In 1991 the family moved to Gillette, Wyoming. George worked for several of the mines and eventually retired as the Lab Manager for Eagle Butte Mine.

Karen and George are survived by son Nathan Montgomery and wife Sabrina (Driskell) Gillette, Wyoming, daughter Jeannie Gjovig, Commerce City, Colorado, daughter Delana Humes, Gillette, Wyoming, Son Arthur and wife Vanya Gillette, Wyoming. Grandchildren; Desiree’ Surett (Nathan), Ariel Kirk (Jeannie) Rhainnon (Delana), Andrew (Jeannie), Samantha (Arthur), Morgan (Nathan), and Brody (Nathan) and Great grandchildren, Brinnleigh, Laken, Kingston and Gemma.

George is also survived by his sister Judy Martinkiss and niece Heather Shaw, Rapid City, South Dakota.

Karen is survived by sister Gwennie (Alaska), Gary (South Dakota), and Randy (Wyoming) Along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held for Karen and George at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Gillette. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. and a luncheon will follow the service. Interment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis at 2:30 p.m.