“Whatever will be, will be”- was one of Mom’s little sayings. She was surrounded all weekend by her family and her care giver, Marie Lavinder.
Mom was born in Missoula, on October 29, 1919 to Alvin O. Bellows and Ruth Marie Bullock. They soon moved back to Bozeman where her father was a machinist. Her sister, Betty, was born two years later. She attended school in Bozeman and MSU. She was the “Sweet Heart” for one of the Fraternities.
Her mother passed away when she was 11. Her father eventually remarried Lucy Norman and from this union a beloved brother, Robert, and sister, Elenora, were born. Mom is survived by them and their families.
Kathryn married Rex L. Grimes in 1940. He owned two gas stations, Grimes Texaco, with his brother Cliff, and then Grimes Motors here in Helena. They were known as the “Grimes Boys” and their wives, who were sisters, were the “Grimes Girls”.
Mom and dad had three children: Sharon, Mike, and Jennie.
Her activities included: Bluebird Leader, St. Paul’s Methodist Church, President of the Helena Woman’s Club, bridge player in several groups, master gardener and grower of many beautiful violets! A highlight for our folks was their cabin on Flesher Pass. They spent most all weekends there. Mom and dad loved snowmobiling and later riding her 4 wheeler until her late 80’s. She never wanted to wear a helmet because it would mess up her hair! All her adult life she was a wonderful homemaker for her husband and children. Dad, Rex, passed away in 1983, leaving a void in Mom’s life and all of us children. Mom was a widow until her passing at age 99, and she still was living in her own home, which she loved.
She is survived by her three children, Sharon (Darrell Vallance), Mike (Barb Vashro), and Jennie Brickley (recently deceased husband Jim), her brother, Robert (Laurie), Nora (Rod Brunner), and many nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren are: Doug (Tammy Christiansen) Vallance, Brad Vallance, Autumn (Greg) Browning, Russell (Rachel) Grimes, Priscilla Brickley (Oscar Mendoza), and Tiffany Brickley. Step Grandchildren, Amanda (Joe Ingels), Aleah (Joe Ruden and their three children). Great Grandchildren are: Brooke Vallance, Cooper Browning, Oriah Grimes, Arianna and Anthony Mendoza, and Gabi Brickley Wachter.
We would like to give special thanks to her loving caregivers, Marie Lavinder, Shirley Lavinder, Jennifer Lavinder, and Cathy Quinones, her housekeeper and gardener, the staff at St. Peter’s hospital, Apple Cooney Rehab Center, and Compassus Hospice.
As Mom would say to all of us, “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!” You will always live in our hearts dear, beloved, Mama.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave in Helena. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. A burial will follow the reception at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family requests that donations in Kathryn’s name be made to Intermountain Children’s Home, 3240 Dredge Dr, Helena, MT 59602, or St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan Street Helena, MT 59601.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday June 6, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the celebration of Her life
Thursday June 6, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Reception
Thursday June 6, 2019
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday June 6, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the celebration of Her life
Thursday June 6, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Reception
Thursday June 6, 2019
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
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AnnieB says
I know that words are inadequate at a time like this, but I wanted you to know how very sorry my family is for your loss. May you find comfort in God’s promise at Isaiah 41:10.
Maureen Fisher says
Dearest Mike & Barb, Sharon & Darrel, Jennie & Jim and families,
Please accept our deepest Sympathy and Love in the loss of our dear Katie. She was truly an amazing lady and friend to our family for our lifetimes. We all feel so very blessed to have been able to call her our friend and neighbor. Our prayers to all of you and know that we are keeping you in our thoughts with love and comfort.
The Rollie Fisher Family,
Maureen, Lisa, Todd & Lauri Ann & families
Lois Neal says
Sharon, Darrell and family,
Thinking of you as you adjust to this loss… Holding you close.
Lois
Guy Youngblood says
Mike, I am saddened to learn of the passing of your mother. In reading the tributes, I certainly wish that I had known her, as she was a remarkable person. However, I do know you, and knowing of your family, I can certainly say that all of you are a living tribute to your mom and a lasting remembrance of her.