Kale Hablutzel

Kale John Hablutzel, 47, passed away at his home on Monday, November 22nd, after an extended illness. Kale was born March 2, 1974 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, MT to Gary Hablutzel and Karen Larson Bergstrom. Kale was busy and mischievous from the start, rolling everywhere he wanted to go – never crawling. Kale had a big personality and a laugh to match. He could be best described as kind-hearted, inquisitive, independent, intelligent, a talented craftsman, music-loving old soul, with a major dash of daredevil. The running joke was that Kale had surpassed nine lives and continued to astonish all of us with his “good” luck. Kale was a skilled beer brewer, providing multiple brews for family weddings and a restorer and tinkerer of old cars. From full restoration to a beloved rat-rod that he and his dad, Gary, built together. If there was something that Kale was curious about, he would learn about it. He was well-read and could speak intelligently on most subjects. Kale was most happy in the mountains camping with his best friend (more like brother), Brandon Downs, or when he was on his motorcycle. Kale & Brandon's style of camping was true Montana roughing it. Usually hovering around freezing, in feet of snow, with the cover of fresh ice in their self-made igloos. The motorcycle trips varied from day trips to weeks on the road, traveling as far as Cabo San Lucas, camping along the way down the Baja. Kale made this specific trip twice. Once with his dad Gary and sister Kerry, and another time all by himself. Kale and Gary also made two trips to Alaska on their motorcycles. Kale grew up in Billings and Laurel, graduating from Laurel High School in 1992. For many recent years, Kale was self-employed as a contractor and truly was a man of many talents and a “jack of all trades”. From sprinkler design and installation to finish carpentry – he was the guy that could do most anything. Prior to going out on his own, Kale worked for Montana Hydraulics which was a subcontractor for the railroad (those close to him remember the railroad days and the “Kaler”). Kale is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, Uncle Bruce Hablutzel, and his german shepherd Grizzly. Kale is survived by his father Gary and his wife Arla Hablutzel; his mother Karen and her husband Dan Bergstrom; sister Kerry Cash and her son Connor Cash; step siblings: Celeste (Justin) Elliot; Amber (Jake) Stromen; Tim (Jenny) Fiske; Autumn (Jacob) Floch; Anders (Nicole) Fiske; close friends: Brandon Downs, Josh Busenbark (cousin), Kevin Larson (cousin), Dave Williams & Travis Woltermann; pet boxer Layla and cats Comet & Sylvester; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Kale stories are too vast to provide within a few paragraphs, so his family invites you to share your favorites at his celebration of life on Thursday, December 9th at 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel. Reception to follow.