Marilyn Kay "Katie" Tintinger

1943 - 2022

Marilyn Kay 'Katie' Tintinger

Nov. 28, 1943 – Oct. 9, 2022

Marilyn K. 'Katie' Tintinger, age 78, of Helena, passed away October 9, 2022.

To raise a family, for many of us, is the ultimate goal in life, but adding in complexities of education and career on top teaching your kids the difference between a job well done and a job half done can be overwhelming. Mom reached and exceeded that goal, proven by the family and friends that surrounded her this week as she succumbed to her long-fought battle with rheumatoid arthritis and the many afflictions that go along with it.

Taking care of people was Mom's lifelong calling, starting out of high school as a candy striper in Missoula's St Pat's Hospital before earning her LPN certificate. As a new LPN nurse, she worked at Alhambra's convalescent home before spending many years working at Helena's St. John's Hospital and then St Peters. Being low on the medical staff totem pole didn't sit well with mom, so while raising two boys and working night shifts, she attended school at Carroll College to become an RN. With a little help from her high school kids typing papers and Dad cooking dinners, she graduated with honors the same time I graduated from high school! She is a member of the International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma Theta Tau)

Always looking to improve and gain knowledge, the bachelor's degree and RN status wasn't enough so mom went on to achieve a master's degree. She achieved an MSA in Health Services Administration through Central Michigan University. Diabetes is the dark monster in the closet of our family having killed Mom's father, her brother and eventually her son, Dusty. Mom was dedicated to learning everything she could about the disease and how best to treat it. Using her master's degree, she taught diabetes education and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support through Kalispell Regional Hospital and Fort Harrison. She also taught nursing education classes at Kalispell high schools and Flathead Community College.

As a critical care nurse and supervisor at St, Peters Hospital from 1984 to 1995, mom embodied the role of an empathetic care giver. She is who you want at your side in times of need. Her experience and character was sought by other institutions as well as the VA at Fort Harrison finally bought her into the fold as an ICU nurse. A year later they offered her the opportunity to help start the VA clinic in Whitefish. Mom stayed with the VA until she retired in 2007.

Mom was born in Seattle in 1943 but the family moved to Glendive shortly after. They moved around a bit before settling in Missoula where she graduated from Hellgate High. A highlight from high school included marching with the Hellgate High Marching Band and in the Parade of Roses for the Rose Bowl.

Mom married Dad, Wesley James Tintinger, on August 21st, 1965. They spent 56 years together before Dad passed away last year. She is also proceeded in death by her son Dusty 'Dustman', and her brother Robert Laurie and parents Robert and Helen. The rest of us will carry on, raising a toast to Mom, including her sister Ruth Laurie, her daughter-in-law, Kathy 'Kat' Tintinger (Dusty), her son Ben, daughter-in-law Tracey, and grandkids, Jon, Sam, Jaylen and Trey. It's been a life well lived Ma!

A Memorial Service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 17, 2022 at Our Redeemers Lutheran Church, 3580 N Benton Ave., with a small reception to follow at the church. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Katie.