Kristen N. Young, age 43 of Helena

Obituary written by her father:

Kristen Nicole Young, 43, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, October 2, 2023. Kristen was born on December 30, 1979, in Havre, Montana, to Chris Young and Robyn Morrison. She and her sister, Kelsen Young, were raised in Havre, Montana.

Kristen graduated from Havre High School in 1998. Growing up, Kristen was involved in many activities, including cheerleading, student government, Miss Teen Montana, and golf. She also enjoyed art club. May Day was her favorite day of the year and she made and delivered May baskets to her loved ones.

In 1989, at the age of 9 years old, Kristen met Barbi Young, who would become her stepmother. In 2008, Kristen would become the stepdaughter of Gerry Hill when he married Robyn.

Kristen attended the University of Montana for one year, achieving honors. She then convinced her parents that she should go to the Art Institute in Seattle, Washington. She graduated with high honors, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2004. It was Kristen’s passion to be an artist and a designer. She loved doing it and it brought her peace.

Upon graduation, Kristen became a commercial interior designer, working with the most successful architects in Seattle and the northwest. She used her artistic talents in designing the interiors of major construction developments specializing in restaurants and hotels.

During her career, Kristen founded Blank Canvas, a nonprofit organization, to perform spontaneous works of art in the service of charity.

In 2015, Kristen returned to Montana, residing in Helena, and worked primarily in the commercial hospitality field.

Kristen was a beautiful person, with a vivacious personality, and a big smile. She leaves behind many friends that will truly miss her. Those friends, whether they be near or far, meant everything to Kristen.

Kristen was greeted in heaven by her grandparents, Gary and Neta Young, Robert and Patsy Morrison, and by her aunt, Karen Morrison.

She will be missed tremendously by surviving members of her family: her father and stepmother, Chris and Barbi Young, sister and sister-in-law, Kelsen Young and Jennifer Bagley, step-brothers, Christopher Evans, Jeremy Young and Zack Young, aunt, Jill Young and Lorrie Wold, her mother and stepfather, Robyn Morrison and Gerry Hill, aunt and uncle, Lynn and Miles Hamilton, and cousins, Ryan and Lucas Hamilton.

Kristen has been cremated. The Young family will have a service for Kristen at a later date. Condolences for any of the above family members may be sent to 46522 Stagecoach Trail, Ronan, Montana, 59864.

Obituary written by her mother:

Kristen was artistic, glamorous, and charismatic. She had a special ability to make friends with a wide variety of people. After arriving ten days after her expected birthday, she burst into life with a “here I am world” way of being. As a child, she was very creative and possessed a vivid imagination. Kristen loved beauty and glamorous things. She had a huge open heart and saw the humanity of each person she met. She loved people unconditionally. She will be deeply missed.

She loved dogs, especially her closest friend for 19 years, Buster (the rat terrier). Her last months were brightened by her new puppy, also a rat terrier, which she named Peanut (her favorite treat as a child was a Dairy Queen Peanut Buster Parfait).

Kristen graduated from the Art Institute in Seattle with an associate degree in interior design ten days after 9/11/2001. A few years later she returned to complete a bachelor’s degree in that field. Her creativity produced several stunningly beautiful hospitality projects (hotels, resorts, bars, and restaurants). She lived in Seattle and Bellingham, Washington, and moved back to Montana to be closer to family in 2015.

Like many of her generation, achieving economic stability was challenging. The more difficult life became, Kristen sought forms of self-expression that weren’t as healthy for her. Kristen lived fully and loved with a deep vulnerability that sometimes exposed her to harmful relationships and trauma. Yet, even at her weakest moments, she was glamorous. She shone like the sun on a winter day.

As Kristen battled to overcome her disease, she was supported by an extraordinary collection of friends, caregivers, and loved ones including Dr. Madeline Turner of Pureview and her staff, staff members of Helena Indian Alliance, staff members of the YWCA of Helena, staff members of Elkhorn Rehabilitation in Clancy, and a large community of friends who are in recovery or were struggling with the same disease. This past summer a guardian angel she called Doctor Dave, kept a daily watch over her well-being.

Kristen Young was preceded in death by her aunt Karen Morrison, grandmothers Pat Morrison and Neta Young, grandfathers Gary Young and Robert Morrison.

Kristen Young is survived by her sister Kelsen Young, father Chris Young, mother Robyn Morrison, stepmother Barbie Young, stepfather Gerald Hill, Aunt Jill Young, Aunt Lynn Morrison, and several stepbrothers, stepsisters, and dear friends.

A celebration of Kristen’s life will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 North Montana Avenue, Helena, MT 59602 on Friday, October 13, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. A buffet luncheon will be held in the adjoining reception hall immediately after the service.

Kristen Nicole Young was infinitely creative and loving. She lived, she loved, she was glamorous and charismatic. Her love lives on through the lives she touched.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

11:30 a.m.

Friday October 13, 2023

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Following the Memorial Service

Friday October 13, 2023

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Share

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

Share your photos