Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 22 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.
Interment: 12 noon, at the Avon Cemetery.
Kathy Bignell, 46 of Avon, MT., passed away of ovarian cancer peacefully Friday, June 18TH 2010 at St. Peters Hospital in Helena, MT. after a courageous 6 month battle.
Kathy was born in Deer Lodge, MT., on January 7, 1964. She was the youngest of 8 children and the daughter of Lue and Sam Bignell. All of the Bignell children up to her had names that began with the letter J. Kathy received her name in honor of her sister Jeanie who had passed away just before she was born. All Jeanies dolls were named Kathy.In high school, she excelled in basketball and track. She graduated from Powell County High School in 1982 and attended Montana State University in Bozeman where she played basketball and rodeoed for the BOBCATS. Kathy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health in 1987. Later she went on to receive an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting Technology from Helena Vocational Technical Center. While attending she received an award for her work on the Student Senate for outstanding leadership qualities.
After college Kathy worked as an apprentice for Riverside Construction where she ran light equipment. She also worked as a lift operator for Big Sky Ski Resort in Big Sky, Montana and Copper Mountain in Breckinridge, Colorado. Kathy was a partner in the Maid in Montana T rail Rides for 10 years riding across Montana from the Big Hole to the Rocky Mountain Front. Kathy also shared of her talents as a basketball, volleyball, and track coach at Helena Middle School.In 1993 Kathy began her career at the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. After graduating from the Vo-Tech she became a Computer Support Specialist within the department. Kathys dedication and team work helped her and her team earn the Governors Award for Excellence in 2004. In 2006 she transferred to the Department of Labor and Industry and continued to excel in her career. Kathys love will be remembered by family, friends, and co-workers. She silently gave of herself, gifts, and time. She was loyal, hard working, and a passionate devoted fan, especially when it came to all her nieces and nephews sporting activities. She could be found cheering from the grandstands at football, rodeo, basketball, track, soccer, and softball events. Kathy was also known for her love of animals, particularly horses and cats. She could handle a rope, tie a goat, and was gentle and proficient when training horses.
Kathy is survived by her beloved mother Lue Tavenner of Helena, MT.; Sisters: Judy (Alvin) nephew Ross Wagner and wife Casey, and niece Tiffany Wagner Park City, MT.; Janet (Sid) nephews Josh & Tyler Erickson, Helena, MT.; Joyce (Bill) niece& nephew Jessica and Ben Ayre Glendive, MT.; Brothers: Jim (Carrie) nieces and nephews Clay, Brian, Sammi and Kaye Bignell, Avon MT.; John (Tana) nieces and nephews Carter, Kolby, Sierra, Savanna, and Abby Bignell, Avon, MT.; Joe (Patti) nieces and nephews Parker, Nate, Maclane, and Frankie Bignell Hall, MT.; Step Sister Peg Tavenner, Hamilton, MT.; Step Brother Tom (Kathy) Deer Lodge, MT.; Nephews Eric Tavenner Billings, MT.; Jason Tavenner Helena, MT.; and nieces Lisa Jone's and Tracy Klapan both of Deer Lodge, MT.Kathy was preceded in death by her sister Jeanie Bignell, her father Sam Bignell, and step father Bob Tavenner.Pallbearers will be brothers Jim, John, and Joe Bignell and brothers in-law Alvin Wagner, Sid Erickson, and Bill Ayre.
Visitation will begin Monday morning June 21st at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Road, Helena, MT., Tuesday June 22, 10:00 am with interment to follow in the Avon Cemetery at 12:00 noon. A reception will follow at the Avon Clubhouse.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peters Hospital Foundation Oncology Unit for Patients, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT., 59601, St. Theodores Catholic Church, Box 326, Avon, MT., 59703, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Rd., Helena, MT., 59602, Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT., 59604.
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