Annette Kaul

Annette Kaul was carried in her Savior’s arms to her Heavenly Home on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016. She was born the middle of seven daughters to Reinholt and Pauline (Schlepp) Naasz at the homestead home in Watkins on May 6, 1917. She was baptized in 1917 and confirmed in 1932 into the Christian faith. Annette was reared and educated In four different country schools and later completed her GED at Hamilton Public Schools.

On Feb. 18, 1941, she married Edwin Kaul from Glendive. They farmed in different areas in Montana before moving to Winlock, Washington. In 1945 the couple moved to Yakima, Washington, where they owned a pear orchard and a campground with rental cabins. In 1949 they moved back to Montana to a Bitterroot farm near Corvallis. Annette liked farming and worked hard stacking hay, milking cows, raising chicken and pigs and growing a large garden.

In 1959 they sold the farm and moved to. Hamilton where she managed a laundry, her large family garden and did custodial work. In 1990 she and Edwin moved to Missoula to be close to family. She moved the Missoula Manor in 1998 where she lived until July 2016, when she then moved to the Lighthouse Assisted Living.

In her life, Annette gave all praise and glory to Jesus, her source of strength and comfort. She was a member of First Lutheran Church where she served the Lord with gladness through Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, making quilts for World Relief and meeting visitors and new members.

Annette’s quick wit, smile, energy and enthusiasm were a true blessing to all around her. She devoted time to getting family together for many home cooked meals, home-made rolls, pickles and desserts. Annette was an accomplished, self-taught artist of Montana’s beautiful scenery and wildlife. She had a passion for gardening and loved sharing her produce. She was known for her delicious tomatoes and beautiful flower gardens.

She lived a simple life, spent her days giving to those she loved, and reminding others to enjoy life’s journey. Some of her favorite things were picking huckleberries, walking in the great Montana outdoors, playing cards, going to garage sales, shopping at thrift stores, and traveling with family. She’ll be remembered for her strong Christian faith, her positive attitude, courage, and perseverance.
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Annette will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Edwin; son Larry; six sisters; and son-in-law Grant Leverenz. Survivors include two children, Evalena (Ron) Berg of Canby, Oregon, and Luana (Bob) Lehmann of Missoula; daughter-in-law Vicki Kaul of Missoula; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

The burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens on December 30 at 9:00 am. The memorial service will be at First Lutheran Church with Pastor David Johnson officiating on Dec. 30 at 11 a.m. with a reception immediately following in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to First Lutheran Church, Light House Assisted Living Center or Home Health and Hospice of Montana.