Kathleen 'Kathy' Laura Grisé, 88

Kathleen “Kathy” Laura Grisé, age 88, of Columbia Falls, passed away Sept. 14, 2023. She was born May 27, 1935, the seventh child, of Roman and Ida Muskat, in Springfield Corners, Wisconsin.

Kathy grew up on the Wisconsin family farm and graduated from high school in 1953. A year later she traveled to Montana’s Glacier National Park, worked at the Many Glacier Hotel, and met the love of her life Cal Grisé. They married in 1956 and began their life together in Minnesota, with seven children arriving over the next years. In 1973, they left their family home in Stanchfield, Minnesota, and fulfilled their dream of moving back to where they fell in love. They happily settled their family in Columbia Falls where their eighth child would soon arrive. Here, they were self-employed operating Cal and Kathy’s Carwash and the Green Thumb Nursery for 25 years.

Kathy was grounded in her faith. Very early in her marriage, she and Cal attended a rally by Fr. Patrick Peyton, who coined the phrase “The family that prays together, stays together." His message inspired them to commit to saying the rosary every day. They prayed the rosary without fail for the entirety of their marriage.

Kathy loved her family and friends, and especially enjoyed visits from her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Oma.” She enjoyed cross-country skiing, dancing to polka music, Octoberfest, jigsaw puzzles, reading and gardening. Her love for gardening expanded beyond her family home, beautifying many public spaces in the Columbia Falls community. She also had a passion for volunteering at St. Richard Parish and especially enjoyed visiting homebound parishioners. We all appreciated Kathy’s very funny sense of humor, which she was able to hold on to during her last days.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 67 years, Calvin “Cal” D. Grisé; children: Kevin Grisé (Jenny), Kim Keil (Jeff), Perry Grisé, Teresa Thompson (Jim), Marie Birky (Mike), Colleen Konopatzke (Steve), Paul Grisé, and Monte Grisé (Tiana); 22 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Rose Marcou.

In addition to her parents, Kathy is preceded in death by siblings: Sr. Monica Muskat, Larry Muskat, Ray Muskat, Joe Muskat, and Zita Pretasky; grandsons: Kyle Konopatzke and Braydon Birky; and grandson-in-law, Tony Harrah.

An evening rosary vigil for Kathy Grisé will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at Columbia Mortuary, 1010 Fourth Ave. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1210 Ninth St. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Interment to follow at St. Richard Cemetery. To send online condolences, please visit www.columbiamortuary.com.