Iva Rae Kirkpatrick

Iva R. Kirkpatrick, age 71, of Terry

June 23, 1954 – January 22, 2026

Iva Rae Kirkpatrick passed away on January 22, 2026, from a long, brave battle with cancer. She will be remembered as a loving, kind, caring, hardworking, independent, selfless person with a heart of pure gold, always putting everyone else before herself. She made sure her grandkids, kids and family knew they were her absolute everything.

Born June 23, 1954, the third of seven children to Harold and Ilene (Zinsli) Meidinger, Iva lived most of her life in the Terry area. She grew up hoeing sugar beets and pinto beans and doing field work on the Meidinger family farm a mile north-west of Terry. Iva developed a green thumb learning from Ilene in her huge garden, assisting with harvest, and canning garden produce. She attended school at Terry Public Schools, where she participated in pep band, marching band, pep club, band, and choir. She was also active in the Presbyterian Church Choir and youth group and the Order of Rainbow for Girls. Even as a young adult, Iva adored kids, so after she graduated from Terry High School in 1973, she nannied for Richard and Sharon Meidinger for her cousins Cody, Kimberly and Keith. Iva decided to attend Dawson Community College in '75 and completed a year of general studies, which gave her time for some of her favorite recreation – bowling and shooting pool.

On March 5, 1977, Iva married Gary Kirkpatrick and then moved to the Kirkpatrick ranch/farm south-east of Terry. They raised cattle, sheep, wheat, oats and alfalfa. Iva and her mother-in-law, Doris, made a proficient gardening team, raising very large, successful gardens each year. They spent hours watering, weeding, and tending so that their pantries could be stocked with home-canned produce, but also to have surplus to share with family and neighbors. Iva's large garden was her pride and joy. Iva also raised egg laying chickens and fast-growing meat chickens and would butcher and can those as well. Not only was Iva a busy homemaker, she could be seen year after year out in the fields on equipment, helping with planting and harvesting wheat, oats, barley, and alfalfa. She was in the corral whenever cattle work needed to be done. Where there was work to be done, Iva was there to make sure it all got done; always with a smile and a good homecooked meal to end each day. Her family and friends can remember her cooking the best meals, baking the tastiest desserts, and making the most delicious Christmas fudge and candies.

Iva and Gary's first child, Daniel Joe, was born in October '78; their second child, Randi Marie, came along February '81; and their third child, Michelle Lynn, arrived October '88. Iva was the glue that held her family together, through the birthday celebrations, holidays, and during the difficult and sad times. Gary passed away in 2022, shortly after their 45th anniversary.

In 1997, Daniel married Dawnya and promoted Iva & Gary to Grandma & Grandpa of Micah and Shawnee. The girls spent every weekend with them on the ranch learning the ropes of country life and making memories with Grandma: many hours of repairing fence lines; building forts; doing farm chores; 3-wheeler and 4-wheeler rides; sledding on the hills, feed grounds or round bales; feeding times; gardening; cooking for a crowd; and caring for her bum calves and lambs. The girls recall always having something to do or finish while experiencing farm life with Grandma Iva. After an eventful chilly day she always had some of her delicious homemade hot cocoa to warm their tummies. Another favorite memory is the sound of her calling in the cows to feed, "Come Boss!". A devoted supporter, Iva attended every softball, baseball, volleyball, basketball and football game that her granddaughters participated in.

In 2004, Gary and Iva sold the ranch/farm and moved to town. They purchased the Terry Laundromat and Carwash and operated it for a decade, providing the grandkids and a nephew opportunities to help with heavy cleaning. That same year, Iva started working at Big Fun for Little Ones Daycare. Of course, she loved her job and all the kiddos that she cared for.

In 2013 Gary & Iva's first grandson, Clayton, Michelle's son, arrived. Clay was attached to his Grandma Iva and right alongside her everywhere she went. Michelle and husband, Kevin, welcomed Ryker in 2022. Clayton & Ryker were both blessed to grow up, from the day they were born, in the middle of Iva's lap. If you saw Iva, you would see the boys with her somewhere close: in the kitchen baking or cooking up some delicious food, reading them books, watching cartoons and movies, swimming at the Terry pool, coloring, gardening, or mowing the lawns. The boys learned many things from her, especially how hard work pays off. In later years, Iva cherished opportunities to watch her grandkids in school activities, concerts, wrestling tournaments, baseball and softball games, and rodeos. Simply, she was their biggest fan.

In 2022, Iva gained another grandchild when Randi's wife, Tesla, and step-daughter, Kyla, joined the family. Grandma Iva enjoyed having a little girl around again to read books about unicorns, have late evening phone calls and video chats, sharing cute jewelry, doing diamond paintings, and doing craft projects. Kyla was a good helper for Michelle as Iva's primary caretaker, and is a special cousin for Clayton and Ryker.

Iva had the spirit of serving others. She was proud to help the Presbyterian Church ladies when needed, supported the Terry Pool Fundraisers, and attended the Ash Creek Homemaker's events. When she had free time, she helped Dawnya at D & D Home Plus care for her clients. She also provided custodial services for private and government facilities in the area. She was referred to as Saint Iva for her caring and compassionate ways towards others, her infectious smile and generous heart.

In September 2021, Iva was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian cancer, leading to years of medical intervention. During her days of treatments and rest, she enjoyed watching tv programs about renovating houses, cop shows, TLC/HGTV and cooking channels. Her favorite pastime was following family and friends with news and photos on Facebook posts.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gary Kirkpatrick; parents Ilene and Harold Meidinger; brother Roland Meidinger; sister Doris Meidinger; stepsisters Kathy Nunn and Debbie Turner; nephew Harold Ernest Meidinger; cousin Keith Meidinger.

Iva's Heavenly reunion with Gary brings peace to her surviving family: stepmother Edna Meidinger of Miles City; brother Preston Meidinger of Big Sandy; sisters Charlene Meidinger of Glendive, Dora Huckins of Broadus, Linda (Fred) Finke of Big Sandy; step-sister Sandy Meidinger of Miles City; son Daniel (Dawnya) Kirkpatrick of Terry; daughters Randi (Tesla) Kirkpatrick of Glendive and Michelle (Kevin) Tothill of Terry; sister-in-law Sue (Gene) Cranford of Miles City; grandchildren Micah Kirkpatrick, Shawnee (Reilly) Kirkpatrick, Clayton Hendrickson, Ryker Tothill, Kyla Poole; great grandchildren Kru and Kylin Kirkpatrick, Jetson, Atticus, Jacob and Axel Kirkpatrick; several nieces and nephews Shanna (Chase) Talcott, Lyle Huckins, Kora Payne, Kim Haas, Lee Clarke, DJ (Amanda) Meidinger, Grace (Weston) Danley, Cassandra Meidinger, Lindsey Cranford, Breanna Cranford, James Cranford; and many great nephews and nieces.