Kathleen, a Montana native, was born to Wayne and Josephine Ferguson in Billings on November 24th, 1952. She grew up in Roundup and graduated from Roundup High School, the Panthers in June of 1970, where she also wrote for the school newspaper, the “Parade”. She was a proud Honors Society member and was elected to the prestigious Quill and Scroll organization. She met her life-long best friends during this time, Diane Bianchi, Deborah Goffena, and Barbara Goffena. Kathleen attended college at Montana State University in Bozeman from the Fall of 1970 until the Spring of 1973. She met the love of her life and soul mate John Bobinski at college in the Fall of 1972. They had a whirlwind romance and were married on June 11th, 1973, in Bozeman. They moved to Atlanta, Georgia later that summer so John could attend law school. While in Atlanta, Kathleen worked for AFCO Insurance as a secretary and receptionist. When John graduated in the Spring of 1976, they moved to Helena, which they proudly called home, and where they have lived ever since. Kathleen worked for a time as a planner technician in the Planning Division of the Montana Highway Department (called the Montana Department of Transportation now). Shortly after the birth of her first child Matthew in August of 1981 she quit her job to become a stay-at-home mother and full-time homemaker. Her second child Adam was born in April of 1986. Around this time, Kathleen became a dedicated member of the East Helena United Methodist Church. A member of this church, Shirley Thomas, was a friend of Kathleen’s from her Roundup days and Kathleen considered her own participation in the church to be an important part of her life and enjoyed very much the time she spent with the church, its pastors, and its members. Working for the church, she participated in the church’s United Methodists Women’s Group, and she taught Sunday school for a time. Having two sons, Kathleen wanted a daughter, and she was blessed with Eileen being born in September of 1995. Kathleen traced her roots on her father’s side all the way back to the Revolutionary War and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved to create art and began to make artworks, cards, bookmarks, and more with pressed flowers. Kathleen especially loved wildflowers and began selling her creations on Etsy with her business Stemple Pass Creations. She considered it a lifelong dream to sell her art and she was very successful doing so. In August of 2021, Kathleen learned that she had an aggressive form of cancer. Due to her previous diagnosis of lupus; as well as how weak she had become from her other ailments; Kathleen was unable to properly seek treatment for her cancer. Despite her tough journey, she never allowed her health to get her down or in the way of enjoying life. She kept a smile on her face and a laugh in her heart at all times. She and her husband John, surrounded by her family and friends celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in the week before she died. Kathleen was a very warm and outgoing person. She made friends wherever she went, loved life’s splendor and beauty, and will be greatly and deeply missed by all who knew her.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at East Helena United Methodist Church, 513 East Riggs St, East Helena with a reception to follow.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Saturday July 16, 2022
East Helena United Methodist Church
513 East Riggs St
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Saturday July 16, 2022
East Helena United Methodist Church
513 East Riggs St
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Eddie and Debbie Miller says
John,
We are really sorry about Kathy’s passing. We always enjoyed her company. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your children.
Eddie and Debbie Miller
Marianne Johannessen says
We all loved Kathy and our hearts are broken at her passing. She brought so much love and compassion to the world and to the Bobinski family. Her husband and her children were her everything and she was a wonderful mother and wife. I always think of her like a wildflower, a natural and beautiful gift to the world from God. Maybe that’s why she was so artistic with her gorgeous pressed flower artwork. We love and miss you Kathy. Our most heartfelt prayers are with John, Matt, Adam and Eileen. May you soar free in Paradise, healed at last, joining your loved ones already there. The rest of us will have to wait until we are called to join you.
Lots of Love,
Marianne and Maurice Johannessen
Debbie L Richards says
I went to MSU with Kathy in 1970. She was always such a beautiful, wonderful and caring person. My thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. Sincerely Debbie Bennett Richards (Butte Montana/ Las Vegas Nevada}.
Shirley Thomas says
I was so surprised when I met Kathy in the East Helena Methodist Church. We were both from Roundup. Her grandparents and aunt and uncle were neighbors, and her cousin was one of my brother’s best friends. Her Father was our TV repairman. We both grew up in the Baptist Church in Roundup, but Kathy was several years younger than I. She remembered that I was her Bible School teacher one year–Probably when I was still in high school or maybe college. I remember her as a beautiful child with beautiful blonde curls. Her parents loved her brothers, but you could tell how happy her mother was with a daughter since she was a beautiful child with pretty clothes. I knew her to be a happy, friendly child and that hadn’t changed when I met her later in East Helena. I enjoyed seeing her in church and having her children in school when I was their school librarian. She had many health problems but never lost her faith or her cheerful, positive outlook on life. God Bless Kathy’s family.
Barb Goffena Miller says
I have such fond memories of Kathy going to school together in Roundup. She was a delightful young lady with a love of Beatles music. As we drove around in my Corvair, we would sing Obla di Obla da but yell BRA instead of da and then break out in giggles. And after I was a young mother in Roundup feeling out of place with my friends, she would surprise me with visits. We were in Bozeman with my husband going to school and she would catch rides with us to Roundup. She was gracious putting up with the rambunctious toddler in the back seat with her. I did not see much of her over the years as we were far apart, but whenever I saw Kathy she was still my friend Kathy. She was so looking forward to our reunion. Even a few short months ago she emailed me she was planning on coming. It was such a shock and still hard to believe she is gone. To her family: I am so sorry she has left you so soon. She was very proud of her family. God Bless you all and may he keep you safe. She is forever in your hearts even no longer with you. Hugs and prayers.