Kathleen “Kitty” Ann (Etzel) Wilson was born October 5th, 1930, to Carl and Anna (Mahlstedt) Etzel. When she was just one month old, her family moved to the farm five miles west of Savage, Montana. They were a large family with 12 children (9 girls, 3 boys) and “poor by today’s standards, but as kids we didn’t have a clue!” She and her siblings had “great fun playing and working together.” As children, they worked hard on the farm. Tractors started replacing horses and “power plants started bringing a little electricity into our lives!” Telephones came many years later. Her early fond memories were of Christmas programs, school picnics, dances and basket socials. She attended Breezy Flats one-room schoolhouse and described her favorite childhood memory as “being a good helper for my mom; stirring up bread, baking Sunday pies, even getting up early on the cold winter mornings so I could help with the wood stove and have Mom to myself.” When the baby of the family, Carl (Junior), was brought home in 1938, she loved that she now had “her very own baby” and helped raise him from day one. She attended Savage High School and graduated May 26th, 1948. Being part of the pep club, marching band and a member of the first Savage High School girls’ basketball team her junior year, were the highlights.

She “fell in love with Vernon Wilson before I even went out with him.” Kitty attended one semester of nursing school at MSU before they realized they didn’t want to be apart from each other. Vernon drove to Bozeman and on September 28th, 1949, they were married at the courthouse. A simple honeymoon of camping on the Little Muddy in the Lewis and Clark Badlands was “a beautiful autumn time and I’ll never forget it.” Lots of folks said it wouldn’t last, but on their 50th anniversary in 1999 “we celebrated 50 years of love, heartbreak, accidents, sickness, excitement, pleasure, hard work, and togetherness.”

Vernon and Kitty started out with a ready-made family with their young daughter, Sandi; then Ross, Anne, and Wade completed the Wilson family. Suzy, a niece, was always regarded as another daughter after she lost her father. The family kept busy with Saddle Club and eventually the horse racing circuit in Montana and Canada. In December of 1977, Kitty was burned badly in a house explosion. She recovered after an extended stay in Denver and when she was fully healed, she and Vernon started a small construction business. After ten years, they found themselves as the managers of Rock Creek Marina on Fort Peck Lake. Many cherished friendships were made in that eight-year tenure. They filled their retirement years with watching grandkids’ sports, maintaining the house/property, and Kitty making trips out to the garage when a “hey, Ma” would blast over the intercom. The Wilson home could always be found with a pot of hot coffee and homemade molasses cookies, just waiting for a neighbor to stop by for a visit. One would be remiss in failing to mention the baking skills of Kitty Wilson! Cinnamon rolls, fudge, buns, apple bars, cookies, Krumkake, and Hampelmann to name a few. There was no one who appreciated that baking more than Vernon! For 64 years he was blessed by her culinary skills until his passing on March 14th, 2014.

Several years ago, Kitty wrote that her meaning in life was, “to be remembered as a loving, trusting wife; a dedicated, patient mother; an understanding friend; and a respected neighbor.” She said, “my faith has always been a pillar of strength for me, prayer is the lifeline to my heavenly Father, knowing that the Holy Spirit is always with us helps to keep me on even keel.” Oh, how she loved her Savage First Lutheran Church family and the times spent quilting, preparing Lutefisk meals, and socializing.

Kitty was fortunate to stay at the farm in Savage until the age of eighty-eight. Her last years were spent at the Savage Sunrise Manor, Sidney Health Center Extended Care, and finally St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan. She was blessed by the incredible staff that cared for her and loved her. She battled Alzheimer’s but never lost her joy. Until the end, her favorite words were, “I love you” and “come, Lord Jesus.” She passed away on January 15th, 2026, with her granddaughters witnessing the peace that is evident when moving into the arms of our heavenly Father, and her family is thankful for the blessed assurance of being reunited.

Kitty was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Anna (Mahlstedt) Etzel; siblings Emma (Otto) Albrecht, Ethel (Robert) Fordyce, Helen (Don) McMichael, Marie Etzel, Robert (Norma) Etzel, Evelyn Etzel, Irene (Arnold) Robson, Harold (Ladonna) Etzel, Jean (Robert) Stortz, and Carmen (Robert) Vanhorn. She is survived by her brother, Carl (Mary Lu) Etzel; and children Sandi Wilson, Ross Wilson, Anne (Bryan) Carr, Wade (Michelle) Wilson; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

We will gather for a celebration of Kitty’s beautiful life on Monday, February 16th at 10:00 AM at the First Lutheran Church in Savage with burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery. We are excited to be together with all those who loved Kitty and to share some hugs and fond memories.

Memorial Contribution