Rita Annabelle Gergurich

The world lost a free-spirited renegade, Rita Annabelle (Mecham) Gergurich, on July 5, 2025. Despite physical pain from recent falls and deteriorating health, her mind remained sharp, and she was a character up until the end. She was always ready with a great joke or story, creating smiles and laughs for all that knew and loved her.

Rita was born in Dillon, MT, March 31, 1939, to Ace and Rita (Birrer) Mecham. She spent her youth in different cities in MT, graduating from Libby high school in 1956. She then received a teaching certificate from Western Montana College in 1958 and taught K through 1st grade in various towns across the Big Sky state. She married John Gergurich in 1959 and had two children, Leslie Kay and Michael John. This union later resulted in divorce in 1977.

Once her children were raised, she was off to live a life of freedom and adventure, living off the grid for many years. Her mother called her a Tramp, others referred to her as a Vagabond or Gypsy, but no matter how she was referenced, she was bound to be a traveling single woman with aspirations of living freely, globetrotting the USA, meeting interesting people and forming long, lasting bonds and friendships. She hit the road in her Love Bug in the mid-1980’s and traveled for nearly 30 years, ending with her van named Lonesome Dove.

She worked for National Parks concessioners in 8 Parks throughout America, including Yellowstone and Grand Canyon. She enjoyed many winters in Death Valley, but her favorite place to park her camper or van was Slab City, back in the good old days, as she often referred to them. She moved to Polson, MT in 2013, where she relished being a Foster Grandmother at Cherry Valley Library in Polson for many years, touching numerous children’s lives.

She loved Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. She was fortunate enough to see Willie 6 times in concert. Rita was an avid reader, Jeopardy wiz, puzzle guru, game player, and great conversationalist. She learned at a young age that she got attention when she told jokes and made people laugh, so she honed her skills and didn’t stop until the end. Laughter is always good medicine!

She is predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her children, a sister, Connie Mecham, and many extended family and friends.

No services are planned, per her request. Her ashes will be interred in the cemetery in Lima, MT, where many relatives have been laid to rest.

For those who wish to contribute in her name, her charities of choice were PBS, animal shelters, food banks, and senior centers. A donation to any of these would be appropriate and much appreciated.

Rita was high on life and other things on occasion. Although it was sad to see her go, she is no longer in pain. She was also very curious about the other side, her next big adventure, and now she has the answer we’re all destined to find out. Wherever she is, she is certainly delighting all those around her.