Carol Ann (Wallin) Degnan

Carol Ann Wallin Degnan passed away at home on Oct. 2, 2024, surrounded by her family. Carol embodied love, kindness and compassion. She lived her life from the heart, devoting herself to her loved ones. Her presence was a blessing to all who met her, and she will be greatly missed.

Carol was born on Sept. 29, 1944, in Watertown, Minnesota, to Leroy (Wally) and Betty Wallin. Carol was blessed with a younger sister and kindred spirit, Linda. When Carol was 5, the family moved to Hardin, Montana, where she graduated from Hardin High School in 1962.

Graduating from Montana State University, Carol found her vocation as a nurse. During the Vietnam War, she served as a Navy nurse (USNR) stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, where she met her devoted husband, Walter Degnan. They married in 1967 and moved to Long Island, New York, where Walter completed his residency, and Carol worked at the Naval Hospital, St. Albans. Carol and Walter moved to Billings in 1971 with their two children, Gregory and Jennifer, and Walter began his cardiology practice at Deaconess and the Billings Clinic. The couple completed their family with their youngest son, Scott.

Carol continued her work as a nurse and dedicated herself to her volunteer activities. She served on the boards of the Montana Heart Association and the Moss Mansion and was a member of the Junior League of Billings.

Carol’s friends meant the world to her. She loved spending time with them, traveling and playing bridge, golfing at the Yellowstone Country Club, and hiking in the park on Yellowstone Institute courses. In 2000, Walt and Carol began spending their winters at Windstar in Naples Bay, Florida, where they found a community of wonderful friends.

Carol was devout, seeking to serve God. She was an active member of St Peter’s Catholic Church in Naples and St. Thomas Catholic Church in Billings.

Carol was a loving grandma to her six grandchildren, Daniel, Paul, Emma, Sam, Charlee, and Laynee, and aunt to her nieces, Sara and Amy, and grandnieces and nephews, Violet, Evan, Olive, and Garrett.

Despite Carol’s tenderness, she was also strong and mighty and fought a long, hard battle with Parkinson’s. Carol joins the Lord with her beloved dad Wally, sister Linda, and grandniece Kenna. She is survived by her husband, Walter; her children, Gregory (JoAnn), Jennifer (Dave), and Scott (Brittany); her grandchildren; and her mother, Betty Wallin.

Instead of flowers, please consider donating to causes that were close to Carol’s heart:

The Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools (Billings Elementary School Pantries), 415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Stillwater Foundation Hospice, 3737 Grand Ave, Suite #1, Billings, MT 59102

The family would like to thank St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church for the pastoral care they gave to Carol over the years.

A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at St. Thomas the Apostle, 2055 Woody Drive, with a reception following at Yellowstone Country Club. The burial will take place at 2 p.m.at the Yellowstone National Cemetery.