Kaethe Bermudez

Kaethe Bermudez, 68, of Great Falls passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at Benefis Hospital. A private graveside service will be held at Highland Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. Kaethe Bermudez was born Kaethe Krebs on March 20, 1948 in Bamberg, Germany. She met her beloved husband George in 1992 and married him in 2003. Before moving to Great Falls, Montana, Kaethe worked as a shift supervisor for the Army convenience store in Bamberg. George liked to come into the store and read the wine labels while working up the courage to ask Kaethe out. When he finally did ask her out they had a memorable time at a local Chinese restaurant and as George says, the rest is history. Kaethe was a generous and loving friend to the many people whose lives she touched. She had an amazing talent for cooking, gardening, and crafts and used her talents to benefit others in her life. Kaethe loved to spoil the many animals that came to live with her and George. She was very active in animal rescue and over the years fostered numerous cats and dogs for the Pet Paw‐see Animal Rescue Group, allowing them to heal before being adopted to their forever homes. Kaethe was one of the founders of this group and especially loved the animals that were injured or ailing. She made sure that they knew love for whatever time they had left. Her heart broke many times as she said goodbye to her beloved pets and foster animals yet she never quit, knowing there was always one more to help. Kaethe was also involved in Project Linus, making blankets for children who were gravely ill, traumatized, or in need due to various circumstances. Over the years she made hundreds of blankets for the children in Project Linus and for the Pet Paw‐see to sell during their craft sales. She often showed infinite patience while teaching her “non‐crafty” friends how to make blankets or other craft items. She also loved to travel around Montana, knit and crochet and was a wonderful cook. Kaethe loved cooking German dishes for her husband and friends to enjoy. One of George and her favorite dishes was goulash. One of her many hobbies was showcasing her collectors dolls throughout her house. Kaethe’s beautiful home reflected her warmth, generous nature, and love for life. Kaethe fought hard when diagnosed with cancer in 2006. Three years after her diagnosis she was found to be cancer free but continued to be plagued with ailments that robbed her strength and limited her activities. But despite this, she continued to be as active as possible and donated her time and energy to her special causes. She refused to quit and never lost her sense of humor. Kaethe’s passing leaves a hole in the hearts of many family and friends all of whom were blessed to have known her. She will be sorely missed! She is survived by her loving husband George of Great Falls, MT; her sister Lora Closs, brother Franz Krebs, her precious granddaughter Jackie, as well as two beloved nieces all from Germany; and a large group of caring friends in her Great Falls community. Kaethe was preceded in death by her parents and her son. Donations in her memory may be made to the Pet Paw-see Animal Rescue Group, 1505 4th Ave So., Great Falls, MT 59405 and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741.