Kathryn Louise Kelly Stebbins, 98
On July 15, 1922, the kind, generous soul of Kathryn Louise Kelly entered this world in Bynum, Montana, to Peter and Eula (Rowland) Kelly. On Oct. 13, 2020, she left it, as quietly and gently as she lived, surrounded by the love of her family.
Kathryn was the fourth of five children in the Kelly family. Her mother passed away when she was 7, and her younger sister, Marilyn, five years later. Kathryn was raised by her father, and eldest sister, Aunt Alice. She attended grade school in Bynum and high school in Choteau. Her interests were babysitting, reading, singing, playing the clarinet, tap dancing and sports, especially basketball and softball. As kids we heard stories, uncharacteristically, of her great throwing arm with spitballs on the school bus resulting in her being kicked off the bus to being called out by the local priest for being late to Mass on some Sundays. She graduated from the Columbus School of Nursing in Great Falls in 1943. “Kelly” made lifelong friends while in nursing school.
In 1939, tomboy “Kate” met a dashing young man from Kalispell on the softball field in Bynum. She wasn’t much impressed, thinking him “full of himself.” They courted by mail for four years while Jiggs was working in Alaska for the Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA), and were married in Choteau on Nov. 19, 1943. They took a ship along the inside passage back to Alaska, windows blacked out to shield from the Japanese submarines, operating off the coast of U.S. and Canada, which was a constant fear at that time during World War II. For three years, the young couple adventured in Alaska, living in Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks. Jiggs was gone for weeks at a time putting in communication towers in remote locations, and Kathryn was the local nurse and sometime school teacher. She once received a large gold nugget and a bottle of whiskey when she delivered a miner’s baby. Dad pulled her on big wooden skis behind the company truck, the only vehicle in Talkeetna at the time. Denali was framed in her kitchen window.
Although they didn’t want to leave the rugged life in Alaska, when Jiggs’ parents asked them to return to run the family farm in Kalispell they did so, bringing their son, Michael. Mike would soon be joined by John, Marilyn and Susan. Life on the farm and with four busy children never stopped. She always assisted in any activity or projects her children pursued. Mom was our biggest cheerleader. As far as the farm, she worked right along with Dad to keep it running, as he also had a full-time job outside the farm. In the community, she was active in the Egan Mothers’ Club, 4-H socials, Home Demonstration Club, neighborhood pinochle gatherings, TOPS Ladies Club, and was a devoted member of Saint Matthew’s Catholic Parish. In her latter years, she continued her love of reading many books per week, transitioning to a Kindle.
Everyone was welcomed at Kathryn’s kitchen table. Over the years, they welcomed numerous cousins, acquaintances and friends to stay, work, and be a part of the family. So many people speak of her home-cooked meals as well as her weekly array of baked goods, breads, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts and cookies. Gardening and canning were also another way she provided for her family. Her love of the outdoors was portrayed in the immaculate care taken with her beautiful flowers and mowed lawn.
When Jiggs passed away in 1999, Kathryn never slowed down. She continued to be engaged in the lives of her family, never ceasing to write letters to her many far-flung loved ones. She worked out three days a week and attended her ladies club meetings. She was always game for whatever activity the family had planned, even going to Disneyland and Universal Studios and riding every single ride with her adult grandkids. In 2001, she traveled to Ireland (a trip she and Jiggs had made several times) with her daughters and granddaughters, where she was able to see her first cousins and show her family the farm her Dad had left at age 17. How many people are lucky enough to drink a pint of Guinness in an Irish pub with their Irish mother and grandmother?
Kathryn’s character might be best described by the idea of communion. She was a woman of strong faith in God and prayer. Kathryn lived her faith with humility, strength and positivity. This legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, L.M. “Jiggs” Stebbins, her parents, her siblings, and her great-granddaughter, Abigail Louise Thompson. Kathryn was the last surviving first cousin from her Tipperary, Ireland, roots.
She will be forever loved by her sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Dr. Michael Stebbins D.D.S., John and Donna Stebbins, Marilyn and Tom Saubert, Susan and Emmett Quigley, Jennifer (Ella, Jonathan, Keenan) Stebbins, Jonathan and Martha (Sofia) Stebbins, Dr. Mandrea (Johnny) Stebbins D.M.D., Holly and Matt (Ethan, Chloe) Desch, Ellie and Fred (Peyton, Kathryn) Bicha, Kathryn and Steven (Samuel, Charlie, Hannah) Thompson, Jaime and Jeff (Branton, Kailey) Dickey, Matt and Brynne Russell, Bret and Jacqueline (Colten, Rylynd, Jasper, Maddox, Beau) Saubert, Christopher and Jade Saubert, Melissa and Jason (Cooper, Brayden) Smith, Paul and Michelle (Capri, Emmett) Quigley, her sister-in-law Florence Stebbins of Alaska, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private family celebration of Kathryn’s life was held Friday, Oct. 16, at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Donations were made to the rebuilding fund for St. Matthew’s Parish.
It has been a blessing to be her family. Describing her sweet, unconditional love and unwavering support sounds like hyperbole. She was never too busy, never critical, and never harsh. She was a nurturer and caregiver. She was always there, with her sugar cookies and a freezer full of Popsicles, with soft arms, and a softer heart. We love you, Mom, Grandma, and G.G.
