Margaret Elizabeth Hale (Bellgardt)

Margaret (Bellgardt) Hale
March 15, 1928 — March 2, 2018

Margaret Hale of Montrose passed away early Friday morning March 2, 2018, at Montrose Memorial
Hospital from a heart condition. She was 89 years old; just shy of her 90th birthday.
Margaret Elizabeth Bellgardt was born March 15, 1928, at the family home on Bostwick Park, the
daughter of Frances (McCarrick) and August Bellgardt. She was the first of three children born to the
couple and was blessed to live all but five years of her life in the family homestead house. Both of
her grandfathers had emigrated to the area to work on the historic Gunnison Tunnel Project
(1904-1909). The families later homesteaded land several miles east of Montrose and on upper
Bostwick Park.
Margaret attended elementary and secondary schools in Montrose graduating from Montrose
County High School in 1946 as the class valedictorian. During her senior year, she was co-editor of
the school’s “Chieftan” publication and was involved in national honor society and student council.
During the summer months, she and her girlfriends would often hop into an old Jeep and head for
adventure in the nearby mountains, with Margaret at the wheel.
Following high school graduation, Margaret attended Colorado Woman’s College (now part of the
University of Denver), receiving an associate degree.
Margaret returned to Montrose in 1948 and worked at Ford Motor Co. and Western Colorado Power
Co. before being employed as a secretary for the Montrose County Agent’s office. It was here that
she was first introduced to Bob Hale, a new DJ and reporter at KUBC Radio who frequently stopped
by the court house in search of news stories. Early in 1951, Margaret and Bob literally “ran into”
each other on the ski slopes of Dallas Divide. They were engaged on Feb. 18, and married on May
27, 1951 at the old Congregational church in Montrose. They celebrated over 60 years of marriage.
After living in Montrose, Grand Junction and Craig (following Bob’s radio career), the couple returned
to Montrose and purchased the Bellgardt family homestead on Bostwick Park, where they raised
their two children: Elaine and Steve. Margaret’s artist talents led her to study oil painting under well
known local artist, Ethel Walker. She also enjoyed gardening and growing flowers, her favorite being
gladiolas, At one time, Margaret and Bob raised two acres of glads, selling the flowers to local floral
shops.
In 1973, Margaret and Bob purchased KUBC Radio which they co-owned and operated until 1988.
Margaret was actively involved in the radio station as head bookkeeper. They installed one of the
first computer systems designed specifically for radio.
Margaret’s true passion, however, was her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother,
grandmother and great-grandmother who was always there for her family during life’s struggles and
challenges as well as celebrating their accomplishments.
Instilling a sense of pride in the family’s heritage was also very important to Margaret. In August of
2010, the Bellgardt Homestead Ranch was awarded Centennial Farm/Ranch status joining other
ranching properties across the state owned and operated by the same family for 100 years or more.
Margaret enjoyed family jeeping trips (if Bob didn’t drive too close to the edge!), trips to the high
country to check cattle on summer range and hosting countless family picnics at the ranch. She also
enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors.
Margaret is survived by her children: daughter, Elaine (Mike) Jones of Montrose; son, Steve
(Tammy) Hale of Montrose; grandchildren: Caleen Hale and Robert Hale, both of Fort Collins, Colo.
and Becky (Scott) Walker of Loveland, Colo., great-grandchildren: Grace, Samuel and Henry of
Loveland, Colo., sister, Helen (Rod) Broomfield of Montrose; niece, Katie (Chris) Nauyokas of
Montrose; nephews, Jerry (Shelly) Foster of Montrose and Lamont and Ken Woods of Montrose;
and numerous great-nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell Robert “Bob” Hale on April 21, 2012 in
Montrose; and brother, Frederick “Fritz” Bellgardt in 2009.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral
service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 7, at Crippin’s chapel, followed by burial at Grand
View Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association of Colorado, 1777 Harrison
Ave., Suite #500, Denver, Colo. 80210.
Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO
81401 (970) 249-2121.