Katherine Dagenais, age 96, of Helena

DAGENAIS, Katherine, age 96 of Helena passed away on May 9, 2023.

She was born in Bismarck, ND to Frederick and Suzanna Stroh on December 4, 1926, the second of nine children.  Soon after, the Strohs moved from Bismarck to Milltown, MT where Kitty grew up.  She worked many jobs a teen, eventually becoming a nanny for a prominent attorney in Missoula.  When she was 18, she moved to Helena to continue as a nanny and later, she became a clerk at the Federal Reserve Bank.   About that time, she met the love of her life, Milton P. Dagenais, and they were married in the fall of 1944.  They were happy and Kitty started a new job working in the District Court for Judges Fall and Loble.  It wasn’t long before she and Milton started a family and Milton Leroy and Carol Ann were born.  Kitty continued to have a busy career and worked for the Montana Auto Dealers Association and later as the office manager for the Montana Bankers Association, from where she eventually retired.

Kitty was an active member of the Helena community, a member of St John’s Lutheran, a charter member and President of F.O.E. 4040 and F.O.E. 16.  In addition to several women’s clubs of the day, she was also a very active member, and past president, of the Helena Soroptimists club.

She had a wonderful friend group filled with dancing, drill teams, bowling adventures, and travel clubs.  Some of her favorite trips included Guam (to visit her son and his family stationed there), Hawai’i, Scotland, and Ireland.  She was an avid seamstress who made hundreds of dresses and costumes for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her sister Betty Bristow, daughter Carol Ann Lockwood, her daughter-in-law Mary Ann Dagenais, grandchildren Leroy Dagenais, Sean Lockwood, and Michelle Borninkhof, 8 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Suzanna Stroh, her husband Milton Dagenais, her son Milton Leroy Dagenais, six sisters and one brother.

Condolences may be sent to 915 Tara Ct, Helena, MT 59601.  Donations may be made to the Lewis and Clark Human Society, where she adopted her last companion, Prince.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Friday, June 2, 2023 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with a reception to follow the service in the Social Hall of the funeral home. Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

1:00 p.m.

Friday June 2, 2023

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Following the service

Friday June 2, 2023

Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Burial

Following the reception

Friday June 2, 2023

Resurrection Cemetery

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Share

Send flowers

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

Photo Gallery

No photos have been submitted yet.
Click here to share yours.