Peggy Ann (Story) Hedges

Peggy Ann Hedges was called home to her Heavenly Father on January 30, 2026, just days before her 86th birthday. She passed peacefully, surrounded by the presence and love of her family.

She was born to Margaret and Edward Story on February 3, 1940. A proud native of Stillwater County, she was raised alongside her sister and best friend, Mary Lee, on her family’s homestead in Park City, Montana. Those early years shaped who she was, grounded, hardworking, and deeply devoted to family and community. On September 6, 1959, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Gary Rae Hedges. Together, they raised their four beautiful children, Doug, Karen, Jerry and Julie. Her life was rooted in love, loyalty, and showing up for the people who mattered most.

She was a loving wife, a strong and caring mother, and a grandmother and great-grandmother who found her greatest joy in the time she spent with her family. They were the center of her world. Her love was fierce and unconditional, protective, honest, and steady. She didn’t just say she loved her family; she showed it every day through her actions, her sacrifices, and her constant presence.

Being Grandma was one of Peggy’s favorite roles. Even in her final moments, that special sparkle in her eye for her grand babies never left.  She held the simple, everyday moments close to her heart. Baking her famous “Mrs. Dunn” cookies, full bellies after Sunday fried chicken, snapping beans and shucking corn, sleepovers filled with Yahtzee, animal shows, and French toast in the mornings, will be memories they cherish forever. Her warmth, quiet wisdom, and listening ear will live on through the ones she loved so deeply. Her silly one liners and raspberry sounds will be remembered in the stories they retell.

Peggy was also deeply connected to her faith and community. She was active in the Park City United Methodist Church and treasured the friendships she made through the Red Hat Ladies, Hobby Club, Demonstration Club and her weekly bowling league. She believed in staying involved, lending a helping hand, and being there for the people around her.

Peggy also knew how to enjoy life. She went on many treasured adventures with her husband and friends, from reluctantly riding her horse along Prairie Ridge to the road trips she took to the Oregon coast, she always found happiness with the ones by her side. In her quieter moments she found joy in sewing and quilting. She lovingly made a blanket for each new baby in the family, a tradition that became one of her subtle ways of showing love. She enjoyed reading and watching her soap operas. She never missed an episode and was fully invested in every story line. She had a heartfelt love for animals, especially her barn kitties, and took joy in sharing that love with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Strong, loving, opinionated, and faithful, Peggy lived her life with heart and purpose. Her legacy lives on in the family she loved so fiercely, the community she supported, and the countless lives she touched.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Margaret, and her daughter-in-law, Connie Hedges (Jerry).

Peggy is survived by her husband of 66 years, Gary; her four children, Doug (Trish) Hedges, Karen Pool, Jerry Hedges, and Julie (Rich) Pallach; and her sister, Mary Lee (Fred) Steinmetz. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Ryan Pool, Kara Skelton (Randy), Megan (Tim) Rauenhorst, Caitlyn (Jace) Church, Chelsey (Chris) Kirby, Jenna (Zach) Draper, Shannon (JD) Steadman, and Cody Hedges; fourteen great-grandchildren—Jordan (McKenzie), Dakota (Victoria), Laney, Jaden (Malachi), Wayne (Destiny), Wyatt, Colsen, Kamdyn, Maelynn, Everett, Wells, Saylor, Briar and Ireland—with two more great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren on the way!

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Friday February 6, 2026 at the Laurel United Methodist Church with a reception to follow from 12:00 - 3:00 pm at the Park City Civic Center.