Kathryn A. "Kay" Hauser

Kathryn "Kay" Hauser was born to Florence Yankee and Leo Velten on March 3, 1920, in Newark, New Jersey. Raised and educated in Tony, Wisconsin, Kay graduated from St. Joseph School of Nursing in St. Paul, Minnesota, on the day Pearl Harbor was attacked.

Kay entered the Army Nurse Corps in February of 1942, and served a three-year tour with the 133rd Evacuation Hospital in the European Theater.

In 1951, Kay married her grade school sweetheart (John Hauser). They were together until May of 2001, one week before their 50th wedding anniversary. Kay is survived by her son (Leo) of Little Rock, Arkansas, and has numerous relatives in Montana, Wisconsin and Texas.

Kay was employed at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula for 25 years, retiring in 1982. During her career, Kay helped thousands of new Montanans enter the world, cared for them as babies and adolescents; and headed the neonatal intensive care unit.

She was a member of St. Francs Xavier parish, worked with John to deliver Meals on Wheels for 15 years, cooked and volunteered at the Poverello, and assisted with services for those who have gone before. Kay was also an ardent advocate for, and member of the Organ Donor program.

Kay and John traveled extensively, making several trips to Alaska and Canada, where she proudly displayed her catches of salmon and halibut. A second home on Flathead Lake was where you would find Kay and John, when they were not caring for the home they built on the Bitterroot River. Her "days off" were spent visiting those living alone, and bringing them her home made bread, rolls and soups.

Kay and her family wish to thank the friends, family and care givers who made her journey such as special adventure.

Donations in Kay's honor may be made to either the Poverello Center or Animeals.

As a child we look for people to make us feel safe, guide us and make us feel loved. As adults we are charged with returning those gifts. Kay will always be my inspiration when it comes to looking first for the good in all people and situations.

Seldom do we find people who are genuine angels. When we do, it reminds us that among the chaos of life, God has placed special souls in our midst to give us hope by their example. Kay was my example, and I hope she was that also for each of you who come together today to honor her life.

A Rosary will be Monday, April 27, at 7 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home followed by a casual reception in the community room. The funeral Mass will be Tuesday, April 28, at 3 p.m. at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the New St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery Annex.
Read Kathryn 'Kay' Hauser's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.