Nellie Mae Berry was born on April 26, 1934, the second of two daughters to William and Lilly Berry. She grew up in the Sheep Mountains of Carter County helping her parents on the ranch with the household chores and livestock. She was especially fond of herding sheep, riding horses, and spending periods of time at "sheep camp". Nellie attended school at various country schools near Chimney Rock and Bell Tower. She attended high school at Carter County High School, graduating in 1951. She especially enjoyed her participation in majorettes while in high school.
After graduation, Nellie attended Black Hills Teachers College and taught school in the Carter County area for several years. She then decided to go back to college and attended Eastern Montana College where she studied business. Nellie put that education to use when she went to work for Northern Tank Line in Miles City. When her parents needed extra help on the ranch with a bad winter, Nellie moved home to the ranch to help.
Nellie married Charles Davis on December 12, 1965 and had two daughters; Carla Mae was born in 1968, and Nadine Lea was born in 1970. Charles and Nellie moved off the Berry Ranch in 1978 and continued ranching and farming near Box Elder. They moved closer to Ekalaka in 1985 and both worked at jobs in town. Nellie enjoyed taking care of her milk cows and provided plenty of milk and cream to people around Ekalaka. She also spent several years working in the Carter County Treasurer's office.
In 1988, they moved to Gillette, WY, where they spent the rest of their lives together. They loved Gillette and developed many wonderful friendships and hobbies. Nellie had beautiful gardens and flowers, and her family could always enjoy fresh veggies in the summer. She was also one of the best candy makers around with everything from fudge and divinity to the best peanut brittle on earth. This will be a treasure that will be greatly missed by her kids and grandkids. Nellie found great pleasure in a pleasant afternoon visiting with friends and family, and she especially enjoyed when she would get to go watch her kids and grandkids in their activities. She attended many musical programs, sporting activities, and church services with family.
Nellie passed away on January 18, 2022, at the Powder River Manor in Broadus, MT, where she had lived for a year and a half. She is survived by her daughters Carla (Tom) Herzog of Broadus, MT, and Nadine (Brian) Elmore of Ekalaka, MT; her grandchildren: Steven Salyers of Rapid City, SD; Tim Herzog of Wilmington, NC; Luke (Hannah) Herzog of Bozeman, MT; J.W. Elmore, Jenna Elmore, and Jolyn Elmore of Ekalaka, MT; and several nieces and nephews. Nellie was preceded in death by her parents William and Lilly, her husband Charles, and her sister Josephine and brother-in-law Frank Roadifer.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus, Montana. Burial will take place before the funeral service on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Capitol Cemetery in Capitol, Montana. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. at the Camp Crook Community Center in Camp Crook, South Dakota. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting http://www.stevensonandsons.com.
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