Madeline Ragland,97, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 9, 2018.  She was born on March 17, 1920, on the farm at Clear Lake, Montana, North of Fort Benton to Waden Coy Fultz Sr. And Mary Johnson Fultz.  She attended Fort Benton schools and married Sam Benton Ragland of Fort Benton on July 31, 1935 in Great Falls.  They owned and operated the Ragland Grocery until October of 1954 when they sold to Ray and Genevieve Bennett. They built the Fort Motel and opened the business May 8, 1955.  The motel was sold to Arthur and Irene Bennett in May of 1975.

She was Past Matron of Bethany Chapter #42 Order of Eastern Star, a charter member and President of Emile O. Ronning Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of Sapphire Temple, Daughters of the Nile, a past treasurer of the Chouteau County Republican Woman's Club, a charter member and President of the Modern Mrs. Home Demonstration Club and was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and actively involved with the Rainbow Girls Assembly #50 and other civic organizations.

Madeline was an artist who especially enjoyed doing portraits in pencil.  She also sewed and did needle point.  After breaking her wrist, she had to find a different medium and did blue ribbon winning latch hook rugs for her great grandchildren.  Every Christmas her homemade fudge was greatly desired by her family and friends.  She also enjoyed working on the Fultz and Ragland families' genealogies.

Madeline was proud to be an American and loved her country, Montana, Fort Benton and her family and friends.

Madeline was preceded in death by her husband "Ben" Sam Benton Ragland on May 8, 1974; her son Sam B. Ragland; her parents; a sister Adeline Bardeen; brothers, Sonny, Ernest, Waden, Wilbur and Calvin Fultz.

She is survived by her daughter, Virginia "Ginger" Ulrich Carver (Chuck) of Peoria, AZ and Townsend, MT and daughter-in-law, Sandra Ragland of Dublin, Ohio. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Kathleen Ulrich Pennington (Darrell), Laura Ragland Boursinos, Marilee Ulrich Timbrooks (Tyrus), Deborah Ragland Brewer (Ray), Michael Ulrich (Carolyn) and Daniel Ragland (Jodie).  She is also survived by two step grandchildren, Lyn Carver (John) and C. Quinn Carver (Susan) and sixteen great grandchildren and step great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; sister-in-law, Helen Fultz, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was very fond of her family and loved them very much.

She tried to live by her motto the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

She has been cremated and memorial services will be June 4, 2018 at the First Christian Church in Fort Benton. Memorials may be sent to the Fort Benton Ambulance Fund, the Fort Benton Civic Improvement Association or the charity of your choice. Benton Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.  Please visit Madeline's online memorial page at www.bentonfh.com to leave a message of condolence for her family.