Carolyn Ann Stauner Knott was born August 4, 1932 at home with a mid-wife present to Martha Molls Stauner & George Stauner in Almena, Wisconsin. Carolyn had 7 brothers & 1 sister. She grew up on a dairy farm. Interestingly enough they rarely got to drink milk because it was to be sold. They all worked hard taking care of the animals and gardening. At one time they had over 1 million chickens. This farm was the largest chicken farm in the state of Wisconsin at one time. Now some of you will understand why her kitchen always had a bit of chicken decor including a rather large rooster. She attended a one room school house from grades one through eighth. After finishing the eighth grade she began working to earn her own money. She went to live with her older sister in Frederick, Wisconsin, where they stayed in a small room that was rented for three dollars a week which they split. She then went on to work for a dentist’s family, caring for their children. She stayed with them and earned $21 a week. This wage also included lunch every day. She would walk to a soda fountain for her dinner which was usually a very large root beer float! Carolyn also worked at a couple different summer resorts near Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Due to her wonderful work ethic, she met families that wanted her to come stay and work for them. Eventually this led her to Chicago where she began working as a long-distance telephone operator. Of all the jobs she had, she loved being a phone operator the most! From the Chicago position she was transferred to Spokane Washington where one of her brothers was living. A short time later another brother asked her to come live with him in Basin MT. When he came to help her move, she brought a friend with him. That friend was Bill Knott.
Bill and Carolyn were married May 1, 1954 in Boulder Montana. They were married for 65 years, and together they raised their three children, Bill Jr. (Nancy), Kathy Bushnell, and Ann Marie Thompson.
Bill‘s work took them from Boulder, MT to Helena, Twin Bridges, Gallatin Gateway, Prineville, OR, Vernal, UT, Clinton, MT, back to Twin Bridges, Choteau, Chugiak, AK, back to Helena, Oroville, WA, and eventually to East Helena, MT where they lived from 1970 until recently. They moved to Hunters Pointe retirement village in Helena in 2019.
Carolyn taught herself so many things, really… from making sauerkraut to sewing men’s suit jackets, making her own soap (from bath bars to laundry detergent). Carolyn could do anything she put her mind to including:
Cooking, baking, recipe collecting, cake decorating, sewing many things including matching square dance outfits and Easter dresses, quilting, crocheting, knitting, beadwork, gardening and home decorating.
Carolyn enjoyed playing pinochle, square dancing, making large family dinners, reading and watching a good movie with a big bowl of popcorn!
Carolyn has touched the lives of so many people. I am sure that most have a handmade item from her that is a constant reminder of her dedication and love.
Carolyn Knott was preceded in death by her mother and father, brothers and sister, her husband William Knott & son-in-law William Thompson. She is survived by, Brothers, her son Bill Jr., her daughters Kathy Bushnell & Ann Marie Thompson, as well as 10 Grandchildren, their husbands & wives, and 19 great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial will follow the reception at St. Ann’s Cemetery in East Helena.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday March 3, 2021
Anderson Stvenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday March 3, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Reception
Wednesday March 3, 2021
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday March 3, 2021
Anderson Stvenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday March 3, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Reception
Wednesday March 3, 2021
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Jean Stump Strainer and Anthony Strainer says
Ann Marie and Family – we are saddened to hear about the passing of your beloved Mom. Oh, your family has experienced such loss this last year. May God bless you with an abundance of memories of the “Good Old Days”. Your unwaivering faith will carry you through to sunnier days and smiles before tears. Your parents are together again – dancing across heaven. May the perpetual light shine upon them.
Ann Marie Thompson says
Oh Jeannie Thank you so much for your kind words! I am extremely happy that my Moma and Daddy are together
again! And to think even Bill is up there waiting for ME!!
What a grand celebration we will all have with our Savior then!!!! Love ❤️ 💕 You
Debbie Hurni says
Dear Anne Marie
I am so sorry about your mama passing. She is in heaven with your daddy and Bud & Zona Oleson! They are my parents & were your mom & dads neighbors in East Helena & good friends for many years.
We will see them all again. I pray for God to surround you with his love & comfort you. Blessings my friend
Kevin & June Briceno says
Ann Marie, I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. We lost our mothers one day apart so I definitely know what you are feeling. Your mom was such a special person! She will truly be missed. We are praying for you and your kids and grandkids for peace and comfort during this time. You have had tremendous loss in such a short time. Let the Lord carry you through your time of grief. We love you!
~ Love, Kevin & June
LORI A KROLL says
Wishing you happy memories of your Mom and Dad. They were great friend to our family for many years. Condolences to your families.