Mary Kathleen Kirn
Our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend Mary “Kat” Kathleen Kirn died peacefully in her home on Sept. 18, 2023, in Springdale, Wash., where she resided. She was 81 years old.
Kathleen was born on Aug. 3, 1942, in Poplar, Mont., to the late Greggory and Mary (LaRocque) Brien. She was raised in Wolf Point, Mont., and attended Indian mission boarding schools. Kathleen was an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
Kathleen was a hard worker and would walk to work every day and never missed a day. In 1984, she moved to Spokane, Wash., where she resided. Then, in 2020, she moved to Springdale, Wash., to live with her eldest daughter, Barbara.
Kathleen, who went by Kat to many, encompassed all aspects of life, and each was special to her. From her phone chats to joint family outings, to sharing informal and formal meals, to playing bingo at Mid-City with Kathy, Linda, Dot and Judy and other good friends along with her longtime friend Norma Dionne. Kat adventured out near and far. Kathleen was up for it all. If she were not out playing bingo, she would be at home sitting in her comfortable chair laughing away at her favorite soap operas or her favorite cartoons. Or be laughing away on the phone with whoever she was speaking to that day.
She was a beautiful lady with a contagious laugh and a friendly smile. As adults, her grandchildren always had fun joking with her and having fun. Whoever her grandchildren were friends with, Kathleen became a second grandma to their friends. Kathleen was always friendly with whoever she met. Kathleen loved to laugh, gave generously of her time, every trip she took was the best she had ever taken. Kathleen truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures and was loved by so many. She really enjoyed her time with all her nieces and nephews when she got to visit them.
She is survived by her five beautiful daughters, Barbara (Dean) Buche, Shirley (Glenn) Omengebar, Jody (Richard) Archdale, the late Stacey Lebrun, and biological daughter Roseanne Grant; grandchildren,- Felicia Brien, Joe Berger Jr., Shaina (Tracey) Lebret, the late Shylo Brien, Thersina Hope, Lacey Laurenzana, Sarah Laurenzana, Marissa (Manuel) Godinez, Ezeriah Laurenzana, Joel Archdale, Ashley Archdale, Richard (Samantha) Archdale Jr, Joshua Archdale, Jacob Archdale, Nicholas Archdale, Isabel Archdale, Noah Archdale, Joshua Lebrun, Jeremiah Lebrun, Lawrence Mitchell, Logan Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Tyra (Tyler) Parton, Zacheriah Ingram, Isaac Azure, Kendra (Phineas) Olafssen, Isaiah Azure, Trinity Brien, Jeffrey Moyer 3rd, Andrew Moyer, Adam Moyer, Taylor Lebret, Moriah Lebret, Shoni, Lebret, Lindsey Brien, Shylo Brien Jr, Mason Brien, Jayden Hope, Ayrianna Gray, Paulo Laurenzana, Sarai Godinez, Elias Godinez, Auntonio Archdale, and Jayden Archdale; and great-grandchildren, Amaziah and Jameah Parton.
She is survived by her brothers and sisters, Andy (Phyllis) Brien, Willard Brien, JoAnn (Brien) Szymanski, Ruth (Brien) Evans, Patrick (Renita) Brien, Mary Jane (Kenneth) Friskey; sisters-inlaw, Daisy Brien, Edna Brien and Lisa Garza; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Greg; mother, Mary; daughter, Stacey Lebrun; brothers, Joseph, Leonard, George and Roy Brien; brothers-in-law, Mack Szymanski and Johnny Evans; sister-in-law, Laverne Brien; along with her beloved grandson, Shylo Brien; and her dear friend, Violet Dejarlais.
Her ash burial will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point Oct. 6, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. On July 6, 2024, there will be a celebration of life in Wolf Point, Mont.
(Paid Obituary)
