Kathy Casman, 53, passed away suddenly, and much too young on Christmas Day.
She was born on September 12, 1958, and her parents Bob and Betty Henkel welcomed their adorable daughter. She was joined two years later with her brother Jay/Jim.
She loved her early years at her home on Flowerree Street and had great memories of the family cabin on Canyon Ferry Lake, where for 18 years, every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day, she and her brother Jay had a ball with watersports friends and neighbors.
Kathy attended school at CR Anderson and Capital High School, where she enjoyed being on the swim team. For several years Kathy worked for her Dad at Sage Advertising. This was followed by a 25 year career at the VA Center, Fort Harrison.
Kathy had many interests, including cooking for family and friends, pottery making, paintings, and beautiful creative stitching’s, which we will long remember her by. She adored her many pet dogs. In recent years, summers were filled with camping in their fifth wheel camper trailer. This fall Kathy and Norman took their grandchild Dallas to Albuquerque, New Mexico to the annual Balloon Fest. Her favorite vacation destination was Cozumel, Mexico, where she vacationed many times with Norman, after an introductory trip years ago with her Dad.
Kathy had a big heart and was very generous in many ways, including opening her home to friends in need. Kathy was devoted and always giving to her family…husband, Norman Casman; son, Kris Casman; grandson Dallas Casman; parents, Bob and Betty Henkel; brother Jim Henkel (Pamela); grandson Dallas Casman; step daughter Nicole Foster (Jay) grandchildren; Kayden and Myha Foster; many nieces and nephews; and Jennifer Dixon.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Interment will be determined at a later date.In lieu of flower memorials in Kathleen’s name may be sent to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society at 1712 E. Custer Ave., Helena MT, 59601. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting; www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Bev Moore says
I was sadden to see that Kathy had died. I will remember the good laughs and the word find puzzle books in the “smoke shack” at the VA. Kathys’ smile and laugh will be with all of us.
Take care Norm.
Bob Mahoney says
Norm, just wanted to say sorry to here of Kathy’s passing. I feel fortunate to have known her. I always enjoyed the short stops I made to her office and of course all honks, waves and smiles when you two drove by the house on Green Meadow.
May God hold you in this time of loss.
Blessings,
Bob
Brian J. Lannan says
Bob, Betty, Jim & Kris:
I was sorry to hear about Kathy’s passing. She was truly a great person with a caring and gentle spirit.
One of the most memorable times I spent with Kathy was in the summer of ’82. We drove with another couple (Sue & Dave) to the State Fair in Great Falls and attended the Ronnie Milsap concert. Fond memories from nearly 30 years ago.
Kathy, I know you will be missed, especially by those whose life intersected your’s at one point or another.
Diane St. Claire says
Kathy was the dearest lady and I was so glad to get to know her during my time working at the VA. We kept in touch by email, as recently as a couple days before Christmas. She could always make me smile and laugh and used to send me the most wonderful emails especially of animals since both of us were such animal lovers. Her family meant everything to her and she so loved and adored everyone. My heart goes out to you in your loss and you are in my prayers. God bless.
Gayle Casey says
Kathy, my dear friend. You have left us way too soon! We still had lots of things to do and learn. I will cherish my all memories of you. We had so many fun and interesting times. I am at a loss for words. I will say a prayer for you and your family. I will also have a place in my heart just for you. Rest now and be my guarding angel until I join you. Take care, I will miss you tremendously. Love your friend, Gayle
James Henkel says
For those who do not know I am Kathy’s “lil brother” Jay.
I have stopped by this guest book several times to read the comments from (you) Kathy’s friends and have been so blessed by everyone’s comments, stories and kind wishes for our family during this difficult time. On behalf of our family THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
We are fully convinced that we will one day have a joyous reunion with our beloved Kathy and though her passing is sad for us. For Kathy, we know she is now walking where angles walk, on streets of gold.
So it is with that hope and expectation that we have been holding tight to these past days. We thank you so much for all your kind thoughts, your prayers and wonderful words that so reflected Kathy’s life. Friends truly are a blessing from the Lord, and Kathy was definately blessed with the best of friends.
May the Lord richly bless each you.
Thoughtfully,
James (Jay)(lil brother)
and Family.
Jay Buckley says
Our thoughts are supporting you during this difficult time.
Kathy Everhard says
Norm and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss of Kathy. May God hold you all in the comfort of his arms throught the grieving you are going through. We all will miss Kathy so much. She had such a bubbly spirit. Always smiling. Take care and God bless each of you.
KATHY REYNOLDS says
I WAS SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT KATHY… I HAVE SO MANY FOND THOUGHTS OF HER. SHE WAS THE BEST… NORM YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE SO IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS LOVE YOU KAT
kelsey lee says
To the family of Kathy Casman,
I am sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that God is “near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” (Psalm 34;18) With sympathy,
Leona Zaharko says
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Kathys’ passing. I worked with her for many years at the VA. My deepest sympathies go out to her family.
Linda Martin says
Norm, Chris, and family
I was shocked and so very sorry to hear of Kathy’s untimely death. I’ve known and worked with her a lot of years. She will be greatly missed.
Linda McNeill says
Dear Casman Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Kathy was my co-worker and I enjoyed her as a friend as well. She was so kind and kept our group together by organizing potlucks. She will be surely missed by me and all. Again, I’m so sorry for you loss. God Bless You.
Mark Radley says
Norm and family,
I was very sorry to read of Kathy’s passing. I hope that the grief felt now will soon be replaced by the happy memories of her life.
My Best,
Mark
Marla Hinkley says
I am so sorry for your loss!! She was much too young.. Cary emailed and told of this .. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mike says
Words can’t express the feeling when a family member passes on. Prayers help us understand, Faith gives us strength, and Friends give us comfort, but a void will remain forever.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless the Henkel Family
Renne't Sarbu says
Norm and family, I’m so shocked and sadden of Kathy’s death. She was a great and true friend of my mom’s. The hours of fun she and my mom had with their ceramics will always be a fond memory for me. If you need anything I’m here. I’m so sorry, Renne’t Sarbu
ROB AND SANDY ROGGE says
WE WERE IN SHOCK TO HEAR OF THE DEATH OF KATHY. SHE WAS A GREAT PERSON WHO WE WORKED WITH FOR MANY YEARS AT VA. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU NORM AND YOUR FAMILY.
Shelly Sullivan says
I am so sorry for your loss. Kathy was a wonderful person and she will be missed so much. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Sherri & Bill Roberts says
I first met Kat while working in Adjudication with her. I can still see Kris on the back of Dave’s motorcycle. Kris must have only been about 4 or 5, if that old. Gees has it been that long.
None of us will never forget all the unforgettable camping trips, all the dinners we created, only to be lovely teased by the men folk about selling our meals along the interstate, because we made enough food to feed an army. Oh, and how Kathy loved Bill’s barbecued steaks and barbecued chicken.
I will always remember the first time you came out to Bernice when we were camping. You stayed for dinner & the next day when you both came back out again & Kat brought out the newspaper “Your delivery boy is here with your Sunday paper”. It was August 1997. That is when Kat REALLY got bit by the camping bug. Shortly thereafter, you guys got your 1st camper.
And the one camping trip we all remember was on a Memorial Day weekend at Bernice the follow year. It was sunny and warm, few minutes later and it was snowing, than it quit, the wind came up & it got warm again. This was followed by a cattle drive going right through the middle of camp. About drove the dogs crazy. As I recall this was the first of many years of camping trips. I think we only encountered a few more cattle drives though & they were at our favorite camping area. By the way, where is that umbrella hat you wore. Loved them black mud boots so much we both got a pair.
Then there camping trip when Bill & I had to go to town & you & Kat baby sat Barney, the bravest dog of all, the carrier of “3” tennis balls in his mouth & the only thing to scare him was thunder. Kat told us how he sat between you two, shivering and terrified in that tiny breakfast nook in your camper. He just couldn’t get close enough to both of you. Would loved to have had a picture of that trio.
And lets not forget the times that we had families out, I can still see Bob & Betty taking their chairs & books down to the creek, reading their books, and when they came back up to camp, always talking about how peaceful it was there. Even with all the families, there still seemed to be enough food to feed everybody.
And always remember “Let the Games Begin” on Saturday morning….. Along with the loving words conveyed by the winner & loser. I wonder how many games we played???
I can‘t even guess how may times we called each other for “special” recipes or how many recipes we swapped. Back in August I asked her for her donut recipe. She kept telling me, I’ll get it out & get it to you (her famous quote was “I have a great memory, just short”). Guess what, she got it to me about 10 days ago…
Norm remember the ceramic painting parties (with the hysterical & inventive critiquing you & Bill provided) – yes out in the middle of a campground, where else would a ceramic class take place? It was nature at it’s best, fighting bugs, trying to keep the paint from drying up & listening to our greatest critics and all the time, having the time of our lives.
The New Year’s Eve parties and dinners at each others homes. The numerous kisses Princess provided to Kat, how Mick cried when the big black truck pulled up, whether at our home or at camp, and how Kat howled when Jada wanted to play with Lincoln & the only way Lincoln could escape was to get up in Kat‘s lap.
Last summer, she was so happy to get Dallas out camping. She was going to get him hooked on the camping bug.
Kat, subconsciously must have know that things were not going right, she was so insistent on the trip to New Mexico and wanting Dallas to see “the big balloons in the sky”. We tried to get her to change her mind and all of you go down the Oregon Coast with us, but she adamantly refused, saying next year we will go to Oregon with you.
While playing Canasta on Friday, Kat said that we needed to do a dinner before the holidays were over. I told her we could do something after Christmas Day and she agreed. I asked her what Dallas was doing & she said “Playing with Norm”. Dallas, another of her greatest joys.
Bill told me that Kat was happy as a lark when he stopped by on Saturday. She was wrapping presents and getting things ready for dinner on Christmas Eve.
When I was playing Stellar Sweep with her on Christmas morning, she never even mentioned that she wasn’t feeling well.
I was going through the cookbook you guys got us for Christmas. It will always be cherished…
We will all miss and remember Kat. There will never be another like her……………..
Stephanie Nelson says
Dear Betty and Family.
Please know you are in my thought and prayers at this time. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Susan says
Norm, Betty, Bob, Nicole, & Kris-
I am finally starting to break through the denial that Kathy is no longer with us. I’m so sorry for each loss you will each face without her.
I’ve been thinking of stories we have told, plans we made, etc. I never did make it to Cozumel with her, figured I’d have time. We always talked about being old ladies in a nursing home together driving the nurses crazy, sitting on the front porch in a swing and bopping people (and each other when necessary) with our canes. I guess my only hope is for dementia so I can truly believe she’s there next to me.
One of Kathy’s favorite stories to tell me was one that started being said by her mother when Kathy & I were roommates. It went something like, “What one doesn’t think of, the other does.” That pretty much summed it up, too.
I am so thankful I had so much time to spend with her the past year and the fun we had whether just yacking late into the night or running for a tropical ice treat.
I love & miss you Kathy, already, and will for a long, long time. Until I see you again, I am guessing.
Teri Johnsen says
Bob & Betty, My deepest sympathy to you both. So very sad to hear of Kathy’s death through a Helena friend who knew me when Kathy & I were both at Sage. Glad to read that Kathy was around to enjoy a grandson and work so long at the VA. It seems like just yesterday we were all running around like chickens trying to meet an ad deadline. My deepest sympathy to you both and to Kathy’s other family members I never met. Teri Johnsen
Tom Carlson says
Norm, I am very sorry to hear about Kathy’s passing. Please know that the VA family is thinking of you.
Vickie & Roy Miller says
Norm, Bob and Betty, we were so saddened by the passing of Kathy. I remember her from my years of working at Sage. She always had a smile on her face, and was so very friendly. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.