Kathryn McFadden

Kathryn McFadden, stepped into the presence of Jesus on March 1st, 2025, at the age of 96, just weeks shy of her 97th birthday. Kathryn Florence (Powell) McFadden was born in Pasadena, California in 1928 to Leroy and Hazel Powell. An only daughter, she was the youngest of three children. At the age of 12, she claimed Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. She became convinced that God was calling her to become a missionary or a pastor's wife and determined not to date anyone who did not share the same convictions. After high school, Kathryn moved to Minnesota where she attended St. Paul Bible College (now Crown College). There she met a farmer/rancher from Fort Totten, North Dakota, James McFadden, who was studying for the ministry.

The couple married in 1950 and started their first pastorate at Trego Alliance in the Kootenai National Forest in Montana. They selected as their life verse Psalm 34:3, which is engraved in their wedding bands, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Their first two children, Hazel and Connie, were born in Kalispell, Montana.

In a few years the Lord led them to Amery, Wisconsin. There, they pastored East Lincoln Alliance church for 13 years. When Tim, Melody, and Bryce arrived, Kathryn was busy raising her own five children, and for a short time three of her nieces, making eight children under the same roof.

In each church they served, Kathryn played the piano while the children sat in the front row. Besides helping her husband, she mentored women, led Bible studies, hosted meals in their home, was involved in the music ministry at the church, and participated in Alliance ministries and missions. The couple loved to sing together, and the children grew up singing in churches and nursing homes.

In 1968, the McFaddens felt a call to return to Montana, where Pastor Mac shepherded the First Alliance Church in Billings. Fifteen years later, the couple moved to Washington where they pastored the Everett Alliance Church for ten years. Upon retirement, they moved back to their home in Billings, across the street from the First Alliance Church. Never fully retiring, the two remained busy by filling pulpit ministries in Billings, Savage, and Red Lodge Alliance churches in the Rocky Mountain District. After her husband's homegoing in 2004, Kathryn branched out to find her place in ministry. She continued to play organ and piano in the church, visited hundreds of people in hospitals and nursing homes, bringing them roses from her garden, praying with them, and singing, “God Will Take Care of You” to everyone she visited.

Kathryn is survived by her five children: Hazel (Don) Heckendorf of Mukilteo, WA; Connie (Craig) Hucek of Minneapolis, MN; Tim (Bobbie Jo) McFadden of Billings, MT, Melody (Don)

Bouchard of Waconia, MN, and Reverend Bryce McFadden of Gretna, NE. She has 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Kathryn's family and extended family have many wonderful memories; each one received thoughtful cards and gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter, anniversaries, and various family milestones. She loved taking the family to eat at Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, and most recently, Texas Roadhouse. In her later years, she listened to the banter and laughter at her table, sometimes looking concerned, and sometimes smiling quietly. She wrote lists of things needing to be looked at or fixed for her when the family visited. Her sons and daughters worked to make sure she was well taken care of. She was always very appreciative of anything her family did for her.

A few years ago, the daughters traveled to California with their mother, something that they will always remember as a highlight. There, the women visited the places precious to Kathryn's memories, and the girls learned a little more about their mother's family history and seeing the old homesteads.

In June 2024, Kathryn was surprised with a diagnosis of cancer and given six to twelve months to live. Such news is always a shock, and the family was stunned. Amazingly, Kathryn continued to attend church, go to weekly Bible studies, and write faithfully to many people. As her disease progressed, the family tried to fill in where they could, and she was not left alone from November until her death. Kathryn directed the sending of cards and letters and Daily Bread devotionals, a long tradition that many friends and family appreciated. With help, she baked one last batch of her famous persimmon fruitcakes to be delivered to family and friends.

Strength was fading, and though the cancer was increasing its grip, Kathryn was not a complainer. She enjoyed listening to the Bible and readings from various devotionals. When she could, she attended Bible studies with her friends. She continued to have strong faith that God would carry her through to the very end.

On March 1st, 2025, Kathryn fell asleep, but this time, she woke up in Heaven. We have great confidence that the same God whom she trusted as a twelve-year-old girl was there to welcome her into His Presence.

Memorials can be given to First Alliance Church, 835 Central Avenue, Billings, MT 59102