Kathryn Hauk Feldman

Kathryn Marie Hauk Feldman “Peaches” died peacefully in her sleep on January 28, 2017, three weeks before she turned 101. Born on February 17, 1916, she was the second of eight children born to Mike and Kate Hauk, young Montana pioneers from Perham, Minnesota. Peaches was born in the horse and buggy era and lived during times of great change. She received her associate, bachelor, and masters teaching degrees from what is now Montana State University, Billings. Her first job as a teacher was in a one-room school house near Terry, Montana. She lived in Terry after her marriage in 1939 to William F. Feldman (Wegie). After she moved with her family to Billings, 1950, she taught at Fratt Memorial Grade School and eventually retired from the Laurel Public School system where she taught special education to junior high school students. She worked as a Nurse's Aide for many years at St. Vincent's Hospital while completing her bachelor's degree. Peaches always demonstrated not only a strong sense of who she was but, also, a determination to accomplish what she set out to do. Her family was the most important aspect of her life. As the years progressed, her six children and their families would visit Kathryn and Bill in Billings to rekindle and strengthen those family bonds. In 1999, MSU, Billings awarded her their Alumni Merit Medallion for her tireless fundraising efforts which resulted in an early computer lab, and in 2002 securing funding for the William R. Lowe Child Care and Enrichment Center, aimed at serving MSU Billings minority student families. She served as an officer and advocate of the Montana Education Association. She was an active member of St. Thomas The Apostle parish. After retiring, she self-published two books of fiction set in rural Montana. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill (1999). She leaves her brother Don and her sister Karol, her children Kerry, (Tami Phelps), Koleen Parker, Peter (Betty), Mary Bouchoux, Michael, and JoAnn Hertz, her grandchildren Matthew Hertz (Blake), Rachel Laird, Brie Anderson-Feldman(Sam Elmore), Christopher Bouchoux (Dana), Andrew Bouchoux (Stacy), Benjamin Bouchoux, Laura Lenz (Nolan), Sarah Feldman, and 5 great-grandchildren (another expected June 2017). A funeral service at St. Thomas the Apostle Church will be announced later by the family. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com We love you, Mother. You had a remarkable impact on your family and your memory will be cherished. From your grandchildren---“Thanks for everything, Grandma Peach!”