Barbara Durden

On January 11th, 2026 Barbara VanGilder Durden was called home.

Barbara was born and raised near Wilsall, Montana, she married John Durden when she was just 16 years old. Together they had 3 boys, Jesse, Terry, and Bruce.

They had many adventures working road construction jobs throughout Montana, while always returning to Park County. They lived at what is now the Round Lake warming cabin in Cooke City for many winters where Barbara would leave by snowmobile before sunrise to make her way into town to her job at the Soda Butte Lodge.

She delighted in her family and always had Oreos on hand for her 5 grandchildren, her 19 great-grand children, and she was recently blessed with her first great-great-grandson.

She loved spending the day outside and in the spring her family will gather to spread her ashes at her favorite fishing hole, and on her orders catch a lot of fish before they leave.

To offer condolences please visit below.