With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of a woman whose life was defined by love, courage, and quiet brilliance. Vera Laurine Uhl, 86, came to rest after a life well lived on April 15, 2026.
Vera was born to Ken and Gladys (Clements) Ruggles on January 20, 1940, in Shawmut, Montana. Life was hard and money was scarce, but she loved being outside, playing with her friends, helping with the garden, and taking care of their animals with her sister and brothers. She learned to drive when she was 12 years old, taught by her 6-year-old brother in the family’s Studebaker.
Her first big adventure was a road trip on a Greyhound bus with her high school friend to see Elvis in concert, sparking her love of music. She would add many concerts later in life seeing greats like Barbra Streisand, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, and Andrea Bocelli to name a few.
Vera graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1958. Shortly after, she took a job at the cosmetics counter at F.W. Woolworth. She met a handsome guy and immediately fell in love. She married Charles (Chuck) D. Uhl Jr. on January 20, 1959, on her nineteenth birthday.
She was a devoted wife and mother whose kindness touched everyone she met. She was a creative spirit who found beauty in the everyday, and a deeply intelligent soul who approached life with curiosity and grace. Her strength and bravery carried her through life’s challenges, inspiring those around her to do the same. She raced snowmobiles, chased snakes with the lawn mower, and could make the best meal out of scraps in the pantry. She was an amazing room mom, Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, and even coached a little league game or two. She joined Chuck, traveling to beautiful locations like Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, France, and England. Cruises to Alaska, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. Trips with good friends to the Indy 500 and the Super Bowl.
She lived many chapters, but her greatest adventure was the love she poured into her family as a Mom, Grandma, Nana, and Gigi. A legacy that lives on.
She is survived by her loving children: daughter, Kimberly Newton and husband Greg; son, Dan Uhl; and daughter, Angela Lamb and husband Marc. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren: Justin, Adrienne, Brenden, Jordan, Jackson, Sydney, Tristan, and Samantha; and her treasured great-grandchildren: Makenna, NaDa, Izzy, Dax, Addy, Evelyn, Lily, and Benjamin. Vera is survived by her brothers, Larry Ruggles and Ranny Ruggles; and her sister-in-law, Judy Finkand husband Bill.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Chuck; her brother, Willis Ruggles; sister Barb Schmidt; and her parents.
She will be remembered for the warmth she gave so freely and the lasting imprint she left on the hearts of her family and friends.