Lola M. Kittelmann

Lola Marie Kittelmann January 18, 1935 – February 1, 2025

Lola Marie Kittelmann, formerly of Clyde Park and Ekalaka, Montana, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Crest Nursing Facility in Butte, Montana. She was 90 years old.

Lola was born on January 18, 1935, in Central Park, Montana, between Manhattan and Belgrade, to Lloyd “Babe” and Irene (Leffingwell) White. She was the fourth of five siblings: Nell, Tom, Faye, Lola, and Elaine. The family lived in Bridger Canyon until 1942 when they moved to Livingston, where her father began working for the railroad.

In 1951, Lola married Robert Strub, and they moved to Melstone to work for Bob and Dolly Shelhamer. Together, Bob and Lola had five children—Judith Ann, Rob, Tom, Gary, and John. Over the years, they worked on various ranches, eventually settling in Ekalaka in 1966 while working for the Ringling Ranch.

On February 14, 1976, Lola married Charles “Chuck” Kittelmann in Miles City. They made their home in Ekalaka and operated Big Sky Express, transporting freight and mail between Ekalaka and Miles City until retirement. Chuck and Lola enjoyed traveling, with memorable trips to Branson, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee, to see Johnny Cash; and the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. After Chuck’s passing, Lola moved to Clyde Park to be closer to her sisters.

Lola was known for her strong work ethic and her beautifully kept yard. She will be fondly remembered for her incredible cooking, especially her famous cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll cookies, and the countless shirts she lovingly sewed.

She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Judith Ann; husband, Chuck; siblings Tom and Faye; son-in-law, Dick Bodine; daughter-in-law, Trudy Kittelmann; and granddaughter, Chelsea Kittelmann.

Lola is survived by her four sons: Rob (Cindy), Tom (Kathy), Gary, and John (Jody); Chuck’s children: Charlene Bodine, Bob (Carol) Kittelmann, Tom Kittelmann, and Annalea (Cleve) Redding; her sisters, Nell Bullock and Elaine Logan; sister-in-law, Vernalea Kittelmann; 19 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Honoring her wishes, Lola’s ashes will be interred at both Mountain View Cemetery in Livingston and Beaver Lodge Cemetery in Ekalaka.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home in Livingston, followed by a reception. An additional service will take place in Ekalaka on July 3, 2025.

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