E. Gardner Brownlee

MISSOULA - E. Gardner Brownlee, retired judge of the 4th Judicial District, died Saturday, January. 17, 2009, at St. Patrick Hospital of natural causes at the age of 92.





Born in Mondovi, Wis., while his mother was visiting family, raised in Wolf Point with brother Jim and sisters Mae and Margaret, Gardner realized early that education was the only way out of the hard life on the prairie. He attended Northern Montana College in Havre and graduated from the University of Montana Law School in 1940.





That same year Gardner and his friend, Tom Koch, launched their law firm, Koch and Brownlee, in Hamilton. Gardner also ran for county attorney in Ravalli County that year, defeating late Montana Sen. Lee Metcalf. He served 14 years as county attorney and in July 1959, was appointed by Gov. Hugo Aronson to fill an unexpired term as 4th Judicial District judge and was re-elected until his retirement in 1979.





Gardner was active for years in several civic organizations. He spent many rewarding years in Boy Scouts, having been the first Eagle Scout in northeastern Montana scouting district, and for many years he worked with young men in scouts, teaching canoeing and other sports at summer camps. He was active in Eagles in Hamilton and Rotary in Missoula.





Gardner was also an enthusiastic member of the Rocky Mountain Model T Club for many years, driving with friends and family to Glacier Park and holiday parades around the state. When he retired in 1979, he blithely traded in his 1912 Model T and bought a Kubota tractor for his “fun days.”





Gardner served with the U.S. Air Corps in World War II.





He was a member of Ionic Lodge No. 30, Grand Lodge of the Masonic Order, and Florence-Carlton Community Church.





Gardner worked hard for the improvement of the administration of justice. While on the bench, he wrote four editions of the Handbook for Montana Peace Officers, a training manual for Montana justices of the peace and police judges, and several training books for juvenile courts, Indian tribal courts and a guide to the rules of evidence.





He taught at the Law Enforcement Academy for many years and also taught at seminars throughout the western United States.





He was a member of the Montana Criminal Code Commission, a member of Region 1 Board of Crime Control, was chairman of the Montana Commission on Lower Court Reform and a Montana member of the National Judicial Educators’ Association.





After retirement, Gardner continued to serve as a district judge, handling administration of decreed water in the 4th Judicial District.





In 1941, Gardner married Mildred Adrain. They had a son and daughter and were later divorced. In 1968, Gardner married Louise Sullivan. She survives him at the family home.





Gardner was preceded in death by his son, Douglas G.; brother Jim; and sister Margaret Henderson.





He is survived by his wife Louise; daughter Gayle L. Celeste of Racine, Wis.; and sister Mae Thompson of Whitefish. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Elizabeth Celeste of Milwaukee, Chance Celeste of Racine and Andrew Celeste of Madison, Wis., Natalie Brownlee of Great Falls and Raquel (Michael) Thompson of Centennial, Colo. Three great-grandchildren also survive along with numerous nephews and nieces. Gardner is also survived by his beloved dog, Jesse.





Gardner took early retirement in 1979 because of problems with his eyes, bought a 20-acre patch of pretty bad ground in the Bitterroot and spent 30 years slapping it into shape. He loved doing pro-bono work for neighbors and friends and creating habitat for wildlife.





Cremation has taken place. In the summer, a graveside service will be held for family, extended family and close friends. No public service is planned. This was Gardner’s wish. A celebration of this wonderful man’s life will be held at the family home following the burial.





“Nobody,” he often said, “enjoyed retirement more. I will die a contented man.”





The family suggests memorials to Animeals, 1700 Rankin, Missoula, MT, 59808, your local Humane Society or Watson Children’s Shelter.





Arrangements are under the care of Cremation & Burial Society of the Rockies.
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