Beloved Meredith Duvall Krutar of Clancy, Montana passed away on August 23, 2023 after a courageous fight with metastatic breast cancer. She died a holy death in the presence of her family. One of her final prayer requests was for God to grant her strength, fortitude, and perseverance – and these were so granted as she climbed her final steps up the mountain to heaven.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Meredith accomplished more in 46 years than most people do in their entire lives. Following in the footsteps of her maternal grandmother, she knew her calling from a young age was to become a nurse. She embodied a deep sense of care for all humanity, genuine kindness, and stamina through life’s toughest challenges with empathy and understanding.
After graduating from Johns Hopkins University as a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, she moved to Montana and broadened her life with the cherished role as wife to Eric Krutar. Over the following years, she became mother to seven children on earth and one in heaven. With her tote bag reading “Act Justly-Love Mercy-Walk Humbly,” Meredith lived this phrase each day, and was a magnetic light to everyone she touched.
Her professional pursuits became heartfelt passions in which she impacted many through teaching students in the Carroll College Nursing Program for twelve years; creating a telemedicine practice via My Catholic Doctor to provide increased access to women’s healthcare; consulting and speaking about fertility awareness, the Creighton Model of Natural Family Planning, and NaProtechnology; and pioneering these services in rural communities across the state of Montana.
Most importantly, her path was guided and illuminated by her deep faith in God and calling as a devoted Catholic to her final moments on earth, when with the pain and suffering she would say: “Jesus, I trust in you.” Meredith leaves us with a great sense of loss as well as the invitation to behold the mystery of her early death with hope in redemption and in God who shatters our darkest hours with eternal light. We will remember and cherish Meredith always as the saint of God’s tender mercy who gave to many with her selfless love.
Meredith is survived by her dear husband, Eric Krutar and their seven children–Connor, Cecelia, Owen, Paige, Gustaf, Clay, and Dean; her parents and in-laws–Michael and Suzanna Duvall, and Jon and Diane Krutar; her sisters, Ali Duvall and Ashley Duvall Behnke; her brothers-in-law, Dave Behnke, Jamie Jonkel, and Chad Krutar; her niece, Maddi Jonkel; her nephew, Luke Behnke; and her uncle, Duane Duvall. The family would like to express their gratitude to the extraordinary circle of healthcare providers, friends, priests and faith community, neighbors, and others across the country who cared for and supported Meredith through this challenging journey.
A public viewing and wake will be held on Monday, September 4 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Cathedral of St. Helena, a reception will follow in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral. A private burial will be held on Wednesday, September 6. In lieu of flowers, please send any gifts to: Cathedral of St. Helena, Carroll College Nursing Program, or Grace Hospice of Missoula County.
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday September 4, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 5, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the funeral Mass
Tuesday September 5, 2023
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday September 4, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 5, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the funeral Mass
Tuesday September 5, 2023
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59602
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Mary Kay Bennett says
In the silence of my heart, I pray a thousand prayers for the family and all her friends. I am so sorry. ✨🩵✨
Terri Vyner says
What a beautiful tribute to a truly beautiful and talented woman. I met Meredith while working on a fertility awareness project. She was a wealth of information and knowledge but also filled with extraordinary passion and humility. I mourn her loss along with all in our community who worked with her and loved her. To her beautiful family, I am so sorry for your loss. May the Lord bring you comfort in your grief. She was loved by so many.
Terri Boyle says
My heart is breaking for so many reasons. For myself, for Eric, for your 7 little minis, for your family as well as all the friends you have made in such a short time here on earth.
From the moment we met back in 2005 in Butte opening Pediatrics Plus, you were always so humble, kind, loving, brilliant, beautiful, and my friend 💗
I am grateful for all your guidance, lessons, help, love, and support throughout the years.
I will miss sending you messages updating you on my crazy life and receiving the pictures of your amazing and gorgeous family.
I will continue to pray for Eric and your beautiful babies.
I love you, Meredith, always and forever.
Terri Boyle
Renee says
Thank you, Meredith, for sharing your life, your heart, your care with our community! You have a very special and unique place in each of our hearts and we are forever grateful for the gift of your friendship💙 When I hold my little miracle baby, Daniel, I will forever remember you! It was because of you that he is here today. It is because of you that I did not have to suffer his loss in miscarriage. Thank you for saying “Yes!” to Our Lord’s plan for your life! Too soon we must say goodbye and we are grieving heavily, but we will not call it a loss. No! For He generously shared the gift of your life with us while on earth – how much more does he plan to accomplish through you from Heaven?! May the intense sufferings you endured, physically, intellectually and emotionally, be united to the Passion of Christ for the salvation of your soul and for the needs of your husband and children🙏 Please intercede for us here and embrace the sweet Face of our Beloved Savior for us! We love you, Meredith💐
Kerry Hughes (Ware) says
Eric & Family,
I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. My heart is hurting for you and your family during this difficult time. I am praying for the Lords comfort, strength, mercy, peace and unconditional love to enfold you all. May you always know in your heart that the immense pain you are feeling is from ALL the love you had for this remarkable woman in your life. I hope her memorial service is a day to celebrate a life well lived! She was obviously a very special daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend who gave her all to everyone. Her legacy will shine in each and every child you two shared together! I will be uplifting you in my prayers.
God Bless,
Kerry Hughes (Ware)
Angie Poole says
Knowing Mere for the last 17 years has been such an honor and a privilege! So many memories over these years were made both in friendship and as colleagues. I was fortunate to work with her at her first clinical job in Butte and then again as a clinical instructor at Carroll College. We also had many laughs outside of work whether it was having dinner, cross country skiing, memorable trips to Chico Hot Springs, or just chatting on the phone.
Through all of these years, Mere did not waiver in who she was and what she believed. She was always compassionate, empathetic, kind, and loving to everyone! I truly believe she was an angel sent here from God, and I am so honored to have been a small part of her journey.
Until we meet again my dear friend, I am sending my hugs and love up to heaven ♥️. I will continue to keep Eric, all your beautiful children, and your family in my prayers. I know you will be watching over all of them.
All my love,
Angie
Shannon Matthies-Callahan says
Eric-I cannot imagine the fight Meredith took. Prayers to you and your children.
Kris Brandt says
Eric, we are heartbroken for you and your sweet family. Her love for you all and for God was evident and admired every Sunday. She will always be remembered. With love and prayers, Troy and Kris (Dreyer) Brandt
Therese Rodriguez says
I knew Meredith only from presenting a webinar for FACTS together. She was present and professional and pretty.
I see now also, how powerful, she was. Precious Meredith. I’m so sorry. Life please stand still. Let this beautiful family be gathered by you, Lord and by each other/ however you will be able to keep her presence very much there for you. A Divine Mercy for you all now. Hoping you see her. Hoping she sends miracles to you of love. ~ Therese, in Christ.
Molly (Storkson) Plummer says
Eric, I’m so sorry – my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your beautiful children. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Meredith – her obituary is a beautiful tribute, clearly an amazing human, mother, wife and child of God. ((Heartfelt hugs)) to you all.
Sara Forsyth Hawkins says
Eric- there are no words. Just love and light for your dear family. Your wife has left a legacy of courage and compassion, a cherished gift.
Jean Bond says
Jon and family, Although I never met your family, she sounded like an inspirational, motivating and beautiful lady. I just thought you were the best teacher and advisor while I was at Carroll! Prayers to you all. Jean Bond
Roger Proudfoot says
Michael, Suzanne, and family I share with you prayers and sorrow in the passing of Meredith. In reading her history, I can certainly understand how Meredith was an eternal light to all that she met and assisted in her life. She certainly demonstrated her beliefs of loving, walking honorably and acting Justly, I’m sure her contributions to women’s health and fertility awareness made a difference in the lives of many many women. I want you to know I am very saddened with your loss and walk with you during this time of sorrow. May God bless, Meredith, the Duval and Krutar family, and May Heguide her children to a life of prosperity and love.
Tom, Dana and Emerson Murray says
Eric and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. So many great memories of Meredith on the tennis court, where I first met her. She showed the spirit, joy and determination it sounds like she brought to everything she did.
Gary L Mihelish says
Eric, Jon, Diana, Chad and Family,
May memories of Meredith’s life comfort you during these times. They don’t make many people like Meredith. She was one of the kindest most gentle people we have ever known. Keep her memory close.
Gary, Sandra, Kurt & Kyle Mihelish
Sharon Healy says
I met Meredith when I joined the clinic she was working at in Butte, MT, Pediatric Plus. I loved working with her! She was always so bright and positive!! She had a great sense of humor! She was so kind to her patients and co-workers. She was incredibly gifted!
My thoughts and prayers to her family.
🙏🙏❤️❤️
Shari Healy
Pearl Huang Ramirez says
I got to know Meredith while working with her on different FACTS projects and presentations, what a gentle, beautiful soul! It was an honor to know and work with her. She inspired me greatly by her passion for women’s health and especially her openness to life and constant surrender to God’s will. Our deepest condolences to the family, I know her prayers for all of you and us all are powerful ones. We know her amazing work continues from Heaven and thank God for her life and the gift of eternal life. Be assured of our continued prayers for all of you. Warmly in Christ, Pearl Huang Ramirez