Jeanne O'Neil

Jeanne (Hatten) O’Neil of Columbia Falls, 78, passed away into God’s loving arms on March 19, 2019, in the presence of her husband, Jerry O’Neil. Jerry’s children were blessed to adopt her into their family on Sept. 6, 2000, when she and Jerry were married in Dallas, Texas.

Jeanne was one of 11 children. She was born in Stewart, Minnesota, on Sept. 4, 1940, to Marion and Frieda Hatten. Jeanne was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart, Minnesota, and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson in 1953. She was a 1958 graduate of Hutchinson High School in Minnesota. She moved to Montana in 1981.

Jeanne was a wonderful lady, full of grace and compassion, and a charming hostess. Nothing made her happier than having company, and she always enjoyed hosting pinochle parties at her home in Columbia Falls. Jeanne was a beloved wife, stepmother, grandmother, sister, and friend, and was adored by many.

She was involved for many years in the puppet ministries in the Lutheran churches which she attended, directing puppet plays for Christmas and Easter to tell the children and adults the story of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In March 1994 she directed the first puppet theater show on Trinity Lutheran Church’s brand new stage. Her young puppeteers also performed at the Church of Creston-Lutheran and at nursing homes in the area. Working with her puppeteer cast over the years brought much joy to her life and blessed the special children who worked with her.

Jeanne enjoyed regularly taking unchurched children to church with her and established relationships with them and their parents. She stated, “These children are so dear to me — they have a special place in my heart always.”

She loved animals and always doted on her many pets. Jeanne was a Mary Kay consultant since 1983, winning the “Queen of Sales” and the “Queen of Recruiting” awards in her group. She also had a love of art and enjoyed painting. She adored her husband and worked tirelessly alongside him going door to door campaigning for his bids for state senator and state representative.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry O’Neil; stepchildren, David O’Neil, Wendy O’Neil, Laura (Larry) Schulte, Sara (Joe) Strain, and Maria (Matt) Axtman; grandchildren, Megan, Samantha, Tyler, Aine, Joseph, Anthony, Brigid, Mary, Benedict, Cecilia, Nicholas, Jessica, Alyssa and Emma; her siblings, Earl Hatten, Joyce (Fred) Kuehl, Roger Hatten, Russ (Nancy) Hatten, and Judy (Jim) Sondergaard; and her many nieces and nephews and extended family who she loved very much.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Frieda Hatten; brothers, Alvin Hatten (in infancy), Cyril (Teresa) Hatten, Donald Hatten (in infancy), Lowell (Theresa) Hatten and Jim Hatten; sisters-in-law, Charlene Hatten and Sandra Hatten; one niece and two nephews; and a husband, Steve Kraig.

A memorial service to celebrate Jeanne’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, at the Lutheran Church of Creston (5447 MT Hwy. 35, Kalispell).