On Monday, April 10, 2023, Kayleen! Louise Youde, 52, our beloved “Antiqué” (pronounced Auntie Kay), went to be with the Lord after a lengthy battle with various medical issues. Her family was at her side.
Kayleen was born May 22, 1970, in El Centro, California to Ron and Cindy (Wilson) Youde. She graduated from Fergus High School in Lewistown, MT, and attended Whitworth College and Biola University. She worked as a CNA and a private care nurse, and held many other jobs. While she never married, she lived with various friends over the years. The past 17 years she and her best friend, Beth, cared for Beth’s father, Don, in his home until his death at age 97. Her joy was spoiling her nieces and nephews as their favorite auntie.
Kayleen loved teaching children – as a nanny, in a homeschool co-op, with her nieces and nephews, in Sunday School classes and with kids she took under her wing. She was creative, making learning fun. She excelled at music, drama, and theater, had a beautiful alto voice, and was part of the Whitefish Theater Co for a summer. She loved table games and had a way of getting the family together during holidays; she was the trivia master. She and her parents directed five “Cuzzins Camps” for her nieces and nephews at Grand Teton NP, Holland and Flathead Lakes, and Ennis, MT, and traveling to Calif. to meet relatives. These were some of her favorite memories.
Kayleen loved and cared for several small animals, enjoyed road trips, and tent camping by herself or with friends. She was a voracious reader and owned a substantial library. An amazing gift giver, she was always able to find just the right things to make someone happy. She loved baseball, especially the Dodgers, attending minor league games with her Dad when she could. We all agree she was not late ALL the time, nor was she ALWAYS overly OCD. She was so loved by her family; our family get-togethers will never be the same. Kayleen professed her own faith in Jesus Christ and she was instrumental in the salvation of one brother and several children.
Kayleen is survived by her best friend Beth Mikkelson, her parents Ron & Cindy of Lewistown, MT; brothers Ron (Julie) of Jaco, Costa Rica, Tim (Tamierra) of Kalispell, MT, and Stephen (Trina) of Clancy, MT; 16 nieces and nephews (all but one in MT): Gabriel, Zach, Noah (Makenna), Kalyssa, Elizabeth, Levi (Karly), Caleb, Abigail, Chloe, Shailene, Zoe (C. Rica), Kolten & Cameron; and many family and friends.
A memorial service is planned for 2PM on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Heights Baptist Church in Billings.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 15, 2023
Heights Baptist Church
810 Garnet Avenue
Billings, Montana 59105
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 15, 2023
Heights Baptist Church
810 Garnet Avenue
Billings, Montana 59105
Trudy B Waggener says
Beautiful memories of your precious Kayleen. I have a special memory that will be imprinted on our garage forever. Kay was house sitting for us and one time when leaving the driveway she didn’t quite make the turn. Her fender made contact with the garage and left its indentation on the side of it. No big deal, Ted said, and he just painted over the top of it and said that would always be our memory of Kay. She always wanted him to fix it and he would say, “it’s just fine.” It’s still there and I think many years of special thoughts when I leave my garage. Love you all. Trudy