Our Dear Mother’s turn on earth ended March 12th, 2017. She came to loving parents, Rhoda Mahala Moss and Thomas Leslie Wheatley on August 3rd, 1926 in Deweyville, Utah. She was the twelfth of fifteen children. Oh how she loved her brothers and sisters. Her Grandfather said they were all good, sturdy stock; healthy, strong and industrious which was the glory and pride of Americas future. Most of her summers were spent in their orchard picking fruit and working in the garden that was a necessity for their large family. Mother loved swimming and was captain of the swim team. She won the softball championship in the 8th grade and also enjoyed being on the basketball team. One summer she worked at the Brigham City hospital with her sister Alice and thinned beets to purchase a horse. She very much enjoyed riding.
When she was a junior in High School, Mom went to work for the Hunsaker’s and that is where she met our father Elzarus LeVon Hunsaker. They were married March 3rd, 1943 and moved to Montana in 1949. They were blessed with eight children, Lavon Gardiner (John) of Clearfield, UT; Allen Kent Hunsaker of Brigham City, UT; Diana Bruce (Andy) of Townsend, MT; Karen Berg (Roy) of Valley View, Alberta Canada; Cecil Hunsaker of Helena, Mt; Judy Sharp of Wenden, AZ; JoAnn Price (Rick) of Townsend, MT; and LeGrande Hunsaker of Sandy, UT.
Mother enjoyed life on the ranch in the beautiful Crow Creek Valley at Toston. Hard work kept her going, rising early to make bread for her family and hired help. She milked the cows; stacked hay; drove trucks; planted a garden; tended chickens; pigs and lambs; took children to music and dance lessons; primary and Sunday school; served on the school board and a whole lot more.
Our parents sold out of the ranch partnership and purchased the dry goods store on main street in Townsend. Father died November 20th, 1976 of a heart attack and Mother married James Ragen July 21st, 1978, which added another seven children to her family. Mom and Jim managed the Broadwater County Nursing Home east of Townsend for many years. Jim died January 2nd, 2002. Mother continued to work at the nursing home and later cooked meals at the Senior Center in Townsend. Everything she made was delicious! She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved her Visiting Teaching and other church callings.
Mother loved her family with all her heart. She spent the past year and a half in the Broadwater Health Center where angels lovingly took care of her every need. Besides her children, she is survived by 21 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, 11 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, 3 sister in-laws and 2 brother in-laws. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husbands Elzarus LaVon Hunsaker and James Ragen, sons Cecil and Allen Kent Hunsaker, daughter Karen Berg, Brian Brothers (grand son-in-law) and great, great grandson Henry James Sharp. Please see below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Kathern.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday March 17, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Viewing
10:00 a.m.
Saturday March 18, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday March 18, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Graveside Service
Following the service
Saturday March 18, 2017
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, M 59644
Reception
Following the graveside services
Saturday March 18, 2017
Fellowship Hall of church
916 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday March 17, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Viewing
10:00 a.m.
Saturday March 18, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday March 18, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
916 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Graveside Service
Following the service
Saturday March 18, 2017
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, M 59644
Reception
Following the graveside services
Saturday March 18, 2017
Fellowship Hall of church
916 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
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Kari Williams says
Katherne was a very classy, upbeat, and fun lady. I said if I had to be placed in the nursing home, I’d want to be in her room. She always had candy for everyone, and she and her roommate were so just so welcoming. Popcorn and movies at night, along with their positive attitudes was a sight to behold. Rest in peace sweet woman.
Terry and Adalee Plummer says
There are so many things I could say about Katherne. I first met her when she used to come into the creamery and load up on ice cream and popsicles. She was always so much fun to visit with. You Hunsaker kids will always be able to look back and remember fondly of how special she was. Many years ago she rode with us to Salt LAKE to visit your dad and was such a delight entertaining Natalie. Our love and prayers to all of you.
Camille says
Dear family,
I read of the loss of your dear loved one Mrs. Ragan. My deepest sympathies go out to you all. It sounds like she was a beautiful soul. What a full life she lived. She was especially strong to live to 90 years of age. I know you look forward to the time when your loved one will rise again and enjoy all the things she loved along with you in paradise. May you look the the Almighty God for comfort, peace and hope at this time.
Chris and Michele Christensen says
Oh, how we loved Kathern. She was always such a joy to be around, she always uplifted us and made us feel good about ourselves and the world around us. She made us feel like we belonged in her family and in Townsend from the moment we arrived. She was an amazing cook, a very skilled business woman and a perfect mother and friend. We wish we could be there with you as you celebrate her life to give you hugs or maybe to get hugs. Please know how very much we love all of you and are grateful that she touched our lives.
jJudy Rauser-Snellman and Frank Snellman says
Kathern, was an amazing person who will be greatly missed by all, I have many fond memories of her and all the Hunsaker people. I am very sorry for your loss.
Lela Biggs Wessner says
Katheryn was such a lovely lady. She touched my heart in her kindness, sense of humor, and generous nature. After I returned from my tour of Europe she and I talked for hours in the store about Germany. She told me stories about her boys being full of adventure. We had so many great conversations. I am sorry for your loss and will be praying for your family. The world won’t be as bright without Miss Katie.
Mary Huth says
Katherine was a very special lady. She and Jim were very special to the Huth’s. Thoughts and prayers to her family at this time.
Tim Ragen says
Life throws many challenges at us and we make choices every day. Kathern Ragen was as consistent as any person I have ever known in her response to those challenges. Every day, she—
• worked hard, morning to evening, throwing herself into whatever task needed to be done;
• treated people with kindness and looked for the best in them; and
• focused on the joy of living and brought happiness to all those around her.
My dad had a saying that “real living starts on the far side of despair.” Kathern pulled my dad through that despair, and gave him years of real living. I will always be grateful and indebted to her.
Mike Ragen says
Andy, Diana, Judy and Family,
Kathern was always so kind to all of us from the Ragen side of the family. Her sincere thoughtfulness and gracious hospitality never failed to put us at ease.
One would never expect to find a woman with such a warm and gentle demeanor who could handle just about any chore on a ranch or in a retirement home. No matter the task that confronted her, she seemed willing to complete it with a cheerful heart.
One of Katherns’ characteristics that impressed me most was her everyday positive attitude. Kathern was the main catalyst in helping dad through his journey of despair. In my last visit with dad, he acknowledge that without her constant support he would have died years earlier. With her constant support and the support of her family, he lived many happy years before his passing.
Even though the years have separated us, I still have such wonderful thoughts and memories of your entire family.
May your faith in God and the wonderful memories you have of Kathern bring you peace and comfort.
Ragen McCluey says
Although the years have passed and my extensive loss of memory due to epilepsy I have the most wonderful memories of Katherine. I didn’t get to spend much time with her and my grandfather Jim. The time I did was always one I looked forward to. Katherine had the kindest heart and such a soft spoken and beautiful woman she was. Although a very late comment, her memory is more than worth mentioning and remembering.