Margaret "Peggy" Kuhlmann Onstad

Margaret “Peggy” Kuhlmann Onstad was born on March 17, 1947, in Minneapolis, to Eugene and Cecelia Kuhlmann. The youngest of four, after Katherine, John and Stephen, she had an ideal post-WWII childhood, with her father working for Honeywell and her mother raising the family. Summer vacations were spent at the family cabin at Bay Lake.

In 1955, the family moved to Billings to help her recently widowed aunt, Agnes O’Leary, run Barry O’Leary General Contractors. Margaret attended Fratt Elementary School, where she discovered her love of the organ by becoming a church organist in the 7th grade. She attended Billings Central Catholic High School, where she remained active in music and was prom queen in her graduating year of 1965. She then moved to Great Falls to pursue her calling of care, graduating in the final class of the Columbus School of Nursing in 1967.

She met the love of her life, Carlin Onstad, at the King’s Hill ski area. Carlin took notice of a pretty lady in purple pants skiing by, and he was introduced by a friend who was married to Margaret’s nursing instructor. That evening, Margaret and Carlin sat in front of the fireplace at the Cub’s Den in Monarch and their journey began.

They were married in July 1968 and moved to the family farm north of Carter. They raised four sons, Michael, Patrick, Vincent, and Peter—an accomplishment in itself. Margaret loved the farming community and became active in the Montana Polled Hereford Association as the Women’s Auxiliary president. She was a leader for the Stir, Stitch and Stirrup 4-H Club and the church organist in Fort Benton. She found her artistic self in pottery and studied under accomplished artists. She soon had her own studio and kiln at the farm and started Prairie Pots, where she sold her craft.

A true Montana woman, Margaret loved the outdoors, especially hiking the trails of Glacier Park, camping, skiing, waterskiing and horseback riding on the Kuhlmann family ranch in Billings. But most of all Margaret loved people. Family and friends, old and new, were so important to her. She joined the quick response unit for Chouteau County as a first responder, then furthered her calling as a home hospice nurse, short-stay unit nurse, and then hospice nurse at Peace Hospice of Montana.

After Carlin passed in 2001, Margaret continued her love of the mountains, finding seldom-traveled roads and beautiful spots where she would hike, fish, and take many pictures that she loved to share. She also remained active in the community by serving in her parish council’s grief support group and on multiple boards, including Giant Springs Heritage State Park and Preservation Cascade Inc., which is overseeing restoration of Great Falls’ historic 10th Street Bridge.

On March 12, on her way to a day of skiing, Margaret suffered a major stroke. She passed away on March 28 at Peace Hospice of Montana, where she had dedicated so many years of her life serving others.

Margaret was preceded in death by her brother, John; sister, Katherine Aanes; and her true love, Carlin. She is survived by her four beloved sons; brother, Stephen, with whom she shared a special bond; four grandchildren, Carlin, Chloe, Avery, and Leo; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A vigil will be held on Sunday, April 3, at 5 p.m. A funeral liturgy will be held on Monday, April 4, at 10 a.m., both at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls. Interment will take place immediately after the service at Highland Cemetery.