Katherine Helen Heaney passed away in her Helena home on May 17, 2017. She was born on February 19, 1925 to John David Blacker and Nora Marie Kieron in Missoula, Montana, the third of five children.
As a toddler, she moved with her family to California. At the age of 8 she returned with her family to Helena, Montana. Katherine graduated from Helena High School. She married Clifford Mergenthaler in 1944. In 1955, she married Joseph Heaney.
Katherine had five children and raised her niece as her own daughter. Spending time with her children and grandchildren was her greatest joy. She also cared for other children in her home including two nieces and a nephew.
Katherine worked in various capacities at St. Peters and ultimately as the Supervisor of Admitting. She walked daily from her home to St. Peters Hospital.
She taught her children the value of hard work. She loved to paint, she was a home decorator and loved antiques which adorned her home. She was a fashionista. Katherine believed in always looking like a lady. Katherine loved to take friends and family out to lunch, especially The Parrot where she always ordered the large-scooped Parrot specials. She was devoted to her friends and they adored her.
In 2011, Katherine moved to live with her daughter in Salt Lake City. She returned to her beloved Helena home in 2014 to live her remaining years.
As a young woman, she became a devout convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and this provided her life’s foundation as well as opportunities to serve in many callings. Her marriage to Joseph Heaney was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple in 1989.
Katherine was preceded in death by husband, Joseph Heaney; son, Jimmy Mergenthaler (Midge). She is survived by her Sister, Nina Dalin of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughters Karen Cracraft of Tracy, California; Kathy Stevens (Jim) and Nora Zullo (Nick), of Helena, Montana; and sons, Rick Megenthaler (Ramona) of Anacortes, Washington; Pat Heaney (Jacque) of Dallas, Texas, her adoring grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren of whom she was so proud, as well as nieces and nephews and their families. She will be dearly missed by all of her loved ones.
Her favorite hymn was O My Father “Then, at length, when I’ve completed all you sent me forth to do, with your mutual approbation, let me come and dwell with you”
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Katherine.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:30 p.m.
Tuesday May 30, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
3:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 30, 2017
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Hero's Raod
Fort Harrison, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Graveside Services
Tuesday May 30, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 24, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:30 p.m.
Tuesday May 30, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
3:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 30, 2017
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Hero's Raod
Fort Harrison, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Graveside Services
Tuesday May 30, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 24, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Share
Rhonda Robertson says
Dear Kathy and Family,
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. May all the wonderful memories you hold close within your heart sustain you in the days ahead. You have my heartfelt deepest sympathy.
Rhonda (Strainer-Score)
Valerie R. ( her Avon lady in the 70's) says
Your mom was a beautiful lady inside and out. I used to sell her Avon
many, many years ago when we lived in Helena, and she was always so sweet.
I remember everytime I would stop with her order, she was ironing.
I would sit at the kitchen table and show her samples and have a nice chat.
My mom passed 6 months ago so I understand your grief. Cherish your
many fond memories and may your faith, family, and friends help you
through the sad days but let the good thoughts of her always make you smile!
Blessings and condolences,
Valerie R (now in FL.)
Chryl Poore says
Kathy and family,
Kathy was a remarkable person and I adored her. She was the first friend I made when I started my career at St Peter’s. Her heart welcomed everyone as family and she shared her joys of her family, her sweet Joe and her commitment to her church and God. She was always prim and proper, elegant and poised. She always dressed to the nines, exuded elegance and graced the halls of St. Peter’s with her beauty and wisdom. Her home was immaculate, I would help her clean sometimes, our bonding experience and if you ever dropped by to say hello…you never would have guessed she had been
busy cleaning the toilet 2 seconds before as she was always elegantly put together, I think the phrase of “domestic goddess” was patented by kathy…lol.
She always, always was truthful…so if you wanted to live in denial or not really know the answer to your problem…you would not ask kathy…part of her charm lol.
Her friendship touched many hearts and she will always have a “special” place in mine.
May God’s love and strength enfold you as your memories of Kathy flood your heart and know as Kathy did, that her journey here was but her temporary home. Her legacy of love, wisdom and those special times still decorate your hearts and she will always be with you. Her journey continues to her eternal home with God in heaven and she will be there to welcome you after your tasks here are finished. For now, she is just a thought away…and I am sure, knowing Kathy…she is already redecorating heaven and adding lace and frills to heavens attire.
May God bless you and that you will rejoice in God’s promise of forgiveness and eternal life through the blood of Jesus.
Chryl Poore