PHYLLIS KAUTZ

WORDEN — Phyllis Kautz, 85, passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at St. Vincent's Hospital after battling health issues.

Phyllis was born September 29, 1933, in Billings Montana to parents Tony and Katie Propp. Phyllis grew up in a large family. She was the youngest of seven kids. Phyllis was raised in the "Great Depression” and lived her life through "old school" German values.

Upon graduating from Billings Senior High in 1951 she began her banking career which spanned 38 years. She began as a bank messenger at Billings State Bank. Phyllis later worked at First Security in which her jobs included vault teller, purchasing agent, customer service representative, and teller. First Security Bank eventually became First Interstate Bank. During her final years at First Interstate Bank, she became one of the first female operation officers in Montana. Her final position before retiring was managing the First Interstate Bank drive-up on Fourth Avenue North in Billings. Phyllis was known to be meticulous in her bookkeeping skills. While most people embrace the hand grenade approach to balancing a check book, Phyllis always balanced the books to the very penny.

In 1982, Phyllis moved to the Huntley Project area with her husband Elmer. She was the epitome of a city slicker moving to the country. However, over time, she became the longest living resident on her road. She loved yard work, tending the garden, and taking her dogs for a swim. She was known to spoil her animals by making homemade treats. One of Phyllis’ favorite past times was to read her numerous cookbooks. Each week she would cook one new recipe. Her son Robert referred to this as “guinea pig” day. Phyllis began each day by walking on her treadmill while playing polka music from a cassette recorder. At bedtime she ended her day by singing to her Elmer and reciting the Lord’s Prayer in German. The phrase "neat as a pin" represented how Phyllis took care of her home.

Phyllis’s #1 love was her family. On December 12, 1954, she married her best friend Elmer Kautz. As Forrest Gump would say, "they were like peas and carrots." Elmer and Phyllis were married for more than 57 years at the time of Elmer’s passing. They had two sons, Rodney and Robert. Phyllis loved spending time cheering on her sons as they competed in sports.

Phyllis is survived by her son Robert Kautz, Worden, son Rodney Kautz, Boise (wife Pam), grandchildren Karson Kautz, Casey Kautz, Taylor Tront; brother-in law Stan Andrews and numerous nieces and nephews.

Phyllis kept a yearly calendar noting the anniversary date of when family members went to heaven. Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband Elmer Kautz, her parents Tony and Katie Propp; sisters Alice Propp, Olinda Kimball; brothers Alex Propp, Gilbert Propp, Bob Propp, Clarence Propp; brothers-in-law James Kautz, Adam Kembel; sisters-in-law Loretta Andrews, Dora Propp, Delores Propp, Lydia Propp, Margie Kautz; nephews Jimmy Kautz, Ronnie Kembel, Cy Kincheloe, & Curt Kautz.

Phyllis will be missed for her strong spirit and tender heart. A memorial service is scheduled on June 29, 2019, 11:00 a.m. at Smith Downtown Funeral Chapel, 925 South 27th. Memorials are suggested to the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, PO Box 20920, Billings, MT 59104-0920. Condolences may be shared with the family at smithfuneralchapels.com.