Darling "Pana" Garrison

Darling “Pana” Garrison was born on September 6, 1936, at the Walsh Ranch in Zortman, Montana, to the late Charles Barrows and Evelyn Adams. She made her journey home on February 24, 2026.

Pana was an enrolled member of the Gros Ventre Tribe of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. She was raised in Zortman, Montana, and attended boarding school in Pierre, South Dakota. Throughout her lifetime, she was blessed with ten beautiful children. Later, she moved to Hays, Montana, where she built her home and firmly rooted her family.

Pana held many jobs over the years and retired from Fort Belknap Head Start. In retirement, she devoted herself to her beautiful home and yard, which she cared for with pride. She enjoyed yard work, puzzles, coloring, journaling, spending time with her family, riding horses, going on joy rides, and attending rodeos. She especially loved hosting family gatherings and holidays.

Pana was the heart of her family — a true matriarch. Her strength, wisdom, and steady love shaped generations. She created a foundation built on faith, resilience, laughter, and unconditional support. Her guidance was gentle but firm, and her advice was always honest and heartfelt. Her presence brought comfort to all who knew her.

Alongside her strength was a beautiful sense of humor. She could light up a room; her laughter was medicine, and her joy was contagious.

The measure of her life is not only in the years she lived, but in the countless hearts she touched. Her legacy lives on in every person who carries the warmth, compassion, and light she so freely gave. Her gift was simple, yet rare — she made people feel seen. In every conversation, every embrace, and every quiet act of kindness, she reminded others that they mattered.

While her physical presence will be profoundly missed, her influence will remain woven into the fabric of her family for generations. The values she instilled, the strength she modeled, and the love she gave so freely will continue to live on in all who knew her.

Pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren.

She is survived by her siblings Nettie Mae, Buddy, children: Carletta (Johnny), Charlotte (Ange), Cheryl (Dean), Lona (Richard), Mark (Stacy), and Duane; her godchildren, Travis and Tracy; all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; numerous other relatives; and the many adopted family members she gathered throughout the years. If we have unintentionally left anyone out, please know it was not by design.

She was greeted in heaven by Grandma Nettie; her parents; her siblings Charlie, John, Betty, and Yvonne Elvan, Alfred, Judith; her children Matthew, Allen Guy, Tommy, Lester, and Evie; and her grandchildren Frank, Waylon, and Chad.

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