Kathryn E. Leidholt of Miles City passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City in the company of her beloved family at the age of 88.
Kathryn was born in Belfield, ND on March 27, 1927, the daughter of the John and Mary Miller Herauf. Her parents died in an automobile accident when she was 15. After this tragic accident, she finished high school in Dickinson, ND while living with her grandparents, Jacob and Theresia Herauf. Upon graduation, she attended the Dakota Business College in Fargo, ND for one year majoring in Accounting. Kathryn came to Miles City in 1945 to live with her Aunt Monie Selbman, who with her husband Ed, owned the Crème Barber and Beauty shop. The shop was then located in the same location as the current Cellar Casino on Main Street.
In August 1945, Kathryn was introduced to Robert Leidholt by her Aunt Pauline who was married to Robert’s older brother, Leonard. Robert had just returned from three years Army service in Africa, Italy, France and Germany during WWII. Their meeting was “magic” and they were married by Monsignor Thomas Hennessy at Sacred Heart Church on May 10, 1946, a union to last more than 67 years until Robert’s passing in 2013. After her marriage, she took in and raised her two younger brothers, Norbert and Henry, who both then graduated from Sacred Heart High School.
Kathryn was a “Renaissance Woman” displaying her multiple talents in many different roles. She was a loving and wonderful mother, raising eight sons into responsible, productive men, no small task! She also acted as the home work tutor for her boys emphasizing the importance of a high level of education. Kathryn was an accomplished cook whose tasty recipes continue in use today by her extended family. There was never much money in the house, but always lots of great food. She was a remarkable baker whose cakes, pies, cinnamon rolls, twists and donuts were always in high demand. She was well known to bake goodies and take them to many different destinations including Holy Rosary Extended Care. She expanded her baking capabilities to include many beautiful wedding cakes. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting and crafts. Kathryn worked outside the home as a telephone operator for Mountain Bell for 29 years. Kathryn in her later years became the Leidholt and Herauf families’ genealogical expert publishing a large volume for each family. Her research work documents the immigration of Russian and German immigrants to North Dakota & Montana in the early 1900s. Most of all, Kathryn was a woman of strong faith and a highly valued member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School. She actively supported both in whatever way she was able to contribute for over 70 Years !!!
Surviving are her seven sons and their families: Deane of Aiea, Hawaii and his children Joel and Jason; Dione (Jeannette) of Great Falls and his children: Lurene, Lauren and Brandi; Denis (Rhonda) of Miles City and their children: Kylee, Koby and Kyrtlie; Darvin of Miles City; Daniel of Miles City and his son Shawn; Douglas (Wendy) of Miles City; Daren (Dawn) of Miles City and their children: Logan, Garrett, Charli and Chappy; Duane’s children: Dan, Natasha, Dustin, Derek and Savanah; her sister Sarah (Herb) Emmil; her brother Norbert (Joyce) Herauf and ten great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents (1942), her husband Robert (2013), her son Duane (2014), and her younger brother Henry Herauf (1998).
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 with the Rosary starting at 6:00 p.m. and a Vigil service to follow. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of committal will follow in the Calvary Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Adopt-A-Student Program, 519 N. Center Ave, Miles City, MT 59301.
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main
Miles City, MT 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday September 2, 2015
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City , Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main
Miles City, MT 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday September 2, 2015
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City , Montana 59301
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Darrell Emmil says
A great aunt, will miss talking to her.
june opp says
To all the Leidholt Family, we are so sorry to hear about your Mothers passing she was such a wonderful lady and a very good cake baker but be assured that she is now rejoicing with your dad and her son. May God bless and comfort you all during this time and the days ahead. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Ruben and June Opp
van herauf says
Well some get a little closure, some get rest, I Wii miss the sweet maytarch of the family, sorry I can not attend. My apologies and god bless.
Tanna Peterson Aye says
So sorry for your loss. She was a special lady.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Donna Jean and J. Mike Dorris says
Doug and family, we are very, very sorry about your mother passing away. She was a very nice lady, and wish we could have spent more time with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, and since we will be unable to attend we will be thinking of all of you.
Clara jo says
Sorry for your loss . My thoughts and prayers are with you all . God Bless
Shirley Rolf says
Daren, sorry for the loss of your mom.
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all you. May god comfort you at this difficult time.
Jim & Jesse Leidholt says
Jim and I are very sorry for the loss of your dear Kathryn. She was an inspiration to all of us. She worked so hard raising her 8 fine sons and her skill in the kitchen was appreciated by all of us. She was beautiful outside and inside. Her Christian faith was so great but Second Timothy states it much better than we can. 2 Timothy 4 verse 7-8 As for me I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the prize of victory awarded for a righteous life, the prize which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day—and not only to me , but to all those who wait with love for Him to appear. Hugs to all of you.
Debbie ( Emmil ) Herold says
Deepest sympathy to you all. Aunt Kathryn will be truly missed. She was my aunt and my god mother. I remember she made a cake for my high school graduation and also my wedding cake when I got married and she delivered both of them. Many fond memories of when your family would come to North Dakota. God bless you all.
Denise (Emmil) Hewson says
I will miss Aunt Kathryn. I remember you guys coming for summer vacation and Aunt Kathryn would use bobby pins to curl her hair, I thought it looked kind of funny but she had a head full of curly afterwards. And I thought she had kind of a cute squeaky voice. We will miss her, take care love you all.
audrey and greg blind &family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. She was one of the best and kindest person I knew.