It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Jane (Harper) Chambers of Sweet Grass and recently Helena, Montana, announce her sudden passing on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the age of 71.

Mary Jane was born in Shelby, Montana in 1950 to Roland "Red" Harper and Verna Jean (Kluth) Coleman.  She is survived by her children, Michelle Harper and Craig Chambers; her brother Clay Coleman; her cousins Suzanne (Harper) and James Blanchard; her nephews Curtis (Brianna) Harper, Christopher Harper; her niece Courtney Harper; and numerous cousins and great nieces and nephews.  Mary Jane is preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Curt Coleman, her brother John Harper, and her sister Judy (Harper) Nelson.

Mary Jane was raised in Heart Butte, on the Milk River, and East Glacier, Montana as a young girl.  From the moment she was born, she had a love for animals and at a very early age, you would find her on the back of a horse, heading to the closest fishing hole.  During her teens, Mary Jane moved to Sunburst, Montana.  Once again, she found herself in horses, and alongside her stepfather Curt Coleman, entered the world of horse racing.  Although she was too big to be a true jockey, she loved training and working with the horses.

She had a varied career, ranging from a kitchen manager/cook, owner/operator of a supper club, horse trainer, sheep herder, retail clerk, Girl Scout leader, and ultimately, an office clerk at a customs brokerage in Sweet Grass, Montana for over 30 years.

Mary Jane's passions were fishing, hunting, and flower gardens.  She always said that one day, a lure would be named after her.  Whether bushwhacking along the creeks near Glacier Park with her fly pole in hand, sitting at the local fishing hole with a worm and bobber, or on the boat chasing the illustrious walleye, she would quite often out fish those that were with her.  Doing her jig and singing her fishing shanty song, she was happiest and most at peace with a fishing pole in her hand.  Her flower gardens were beautiful, and she loved sharing her flowers with everyone in town.  Many a flower garden in Sweet Grass has Mary Jane's seeds.

At Mary Jane's request, no service will be held.  In lieu of flowers and condolences, her daughter Michelle asks that instead, you send her your favorite seeds or bulbs that can be grown in Zones 2 or 3, and she will create a flower garden at her home in memory of Mary Jane.  It will be a lasting memory that anyone who comes to her home can enjoy.  Michelle Harper, PO Box 9662, Helena, MT  59604