Mary L Krugler, 93, peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Sidney Health Center in Sidney, MT with family by her side.

Mary Lois “Tip” Krugler was born on November 7, 1932 in Alexander, North Dakota to Stanhope “Bob” Trotter and Regina “Jean” Stevenson Trotter, the fifth of six kids. She grew up on a ranch and attended country school in the Hay Draw community near Trotters, North Dakota, then transferred to Sidney for High school graduating in the class 1951 What she loved most about ranch life was her trusty horse, Paint. She had him as a new colt and he was still around to give her oldest kids rides on him when they were young. A picture of him hung on her wall for decades.
Tip had many jobs through the years but she always talked about her first job. As a high school student she started work at the brand-new movie theater in Sidney, and remembered their special uniforms fondly.

After graduation she married her high school sweetheart, Douglas Krugler. Together they had three children: Rodney, Deanne and Donald. Tip worked for Mountain Bell as a telephone operator, back when you talked to a real person and they connected and disconnected calls on the switchboard!

Tip later married James Pelvit and moved to Breckenridge MN. Their blended family totaled five, adding Jimmy and Vicki to the fold. In December of 1965, Colleen “Snooky” was born to this union. A few years later they returned to Sidney and Tip went to work at Richland National Bank, where she remained for 27 years, running the Proof Operating machine. No one could run a 10-key faster than Tip! Her department even received awards for speed and accuracy. She was a joy to watch work.

After retiring from the bank, she worked a variety of jobs including Pamida, the Sidney Job Service, the Richland County Extension office as a fill-in and also took in sewing projects. Tip was always an independent strong person, and a two-time cancer survivor.

Tip loved being a “Gramma”. This was probably her favorite job title; she always greeted the grandkids with a big smile and “Well Hello!” like she had been waiting just for them. They were all thoroughly spoiled. At her house they got to use saws, hammers and tillers, and make mud puddles in the yard, and enjoy any treat they desired. She had a quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor that some of the grand kids played along with well, they would banter back and forth giving all a good laugh. As the kids got older, she would cook anything they asked for. It’s a well-known fact that she made the best pan-fried hamburgers ever. Other often requested things were her chocolate chip cookies, brownies, marshmallows, whoopie-pies, and lemon bars. If she knew you had a favorite, she would always make it for your birthday and Christmas.

Besides cooking and spoiling grandkids, she also loved to work in her yard, sewing, crafting, watching her Soap Operas, and her daily crossword puzzles.

Tip is survived by her son Donald Krugler, daughter Colleen “Snooky” Pelvit (Kevin) Topp, step-daughter Vicki Pelvit (Chalo) Castro and step-son James (Leann) Pelvit, all of Sidney, MT. Grand Children: Nicholas Krugler, Sidney, Gina (Darrin)Devinney, ElDorado KS, Jerry (Crystal) Erickson, Tina Mears, Tawnya Mears, Cole (Nichole) Krugler, Billings MT, Carl (Brandy) Krugler Rolling Hills WY, Carmen Krugler (Jeff ) Huffman England, Joseph (Marissa) Topp Sidney, James (Shelby) Topp Sidney, Kyle Topp (Jarrett) Richey Leesville LA, Sarah (Ryan) Herman, Jordan MT, Joshua (Cori) Gullickson, Sidney, MT. Charley Pelvit (Rune)Ehmson Sidney, Jamie Pelvit (Charley) Land Williston ND, Jon (Laura) Castro Sidney, Tim (Kayla) Castro Watford City ND, Monica Castro Morlock Sidney, Elena (Tom Rietz) Castro Savage.

She was Preceded in death by her Parents, her Brothers Sam Trotter, Ted Trotter and Duff (Don)Trotter, sisters Babe (Barb) Walla & Billie (Frances) Trotter and her Grand Daughter Meghan Krugler