Katherine (Peggy) Daylong

Peggy DaylongPeggy Daylong

On March 31, 1907 a beautiful baby girl was born on a ship at the Port of New York. Her proud parents, John and Katherine Benner were migrating to the United States to begin their new life. The family settled in Worland, Wyoming where Peggy helped her parents ranch. She was married, had a child and was divorced a short time later.

After her divorce, she and her baby daughter moved to Billings, Montana to start her new career in nursing. She worked in the maternity ward at St. Vincent s hospital for many many years. During this time she married again, had three more children and was divorced.

Peggy started work at a second job at Hart Albins Department Store. She worked very hard at both jobs to give her children a good life and things that she thought was essential for them to have. She insisted that they all take music lesson of some type and dance lessons and to be involved. Her daughters grew up to own one of the largest dance schools in Montana for many years.

On May 25, 1947 Peggy married the love of her life, Riley Daylong. Three years later she had another child. In 1955 Peggy retired from nursing and became a foster parent for the next 43 years. Many children came through her door and their lives were touched by Peggy and Riley's loving ways. She raised a severely mentally handicapped foster daughter, Vicky, for 40 years until the State thought Vicki could handle living on her own. Peggy resided at 1001 25th Street West during those 40 years.

Peggy enjoyed life to the fullest. She loved fishing, camping and boating with her husband and all her family at Deadmans Basin. Her favorite seasons were spring and summer when she could be outside and putter in her garden. The biggest love in Peggy's life was her children and grandchildren. She was a truly devoted mother and grandmother.

Peggy went peacefully during her sleep into the arms of her Lord on Sunday, March 5, 2006 at the Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center in Laurel where she had resided the last few years.

Peggy is preceded in death by husband Riley Daylong; her daughter Danita (Jackie) Diedrich; her parents, John and Katherine Benner; her brothers, Roy, George, Adam, and Henry Benner; her sister Helen (Benner) Dumlar.

She is survived by her children Dolores Yeager of Laurel, Maxine Nauman of Laurel, George Daylong of Columbus, Richard and (Bonnie) Daylong of Pennsylvania, and Rita Ness of Billings; 19 grandchildren; 34 Great Grandchildren; and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren; her brothers, Wilbur Benner of Bozeman, Harry Benner of Laurel, Lester Benner of Arizona; her sisters, Clara Lee of Clarks Fork and Vernie Owen of Miles City; and many nieces and nephews throughout Montana, Idaho and Washington.

We are not going to say Good-bye to this truly beautiful and wonderful lady. We want to thank her for all the love and guidance she gave us during her time with us and for giving us each other. We are just going to say we love you and will miss you ever so much - until we meet at heaven's door-Your loving children and grandchildren.

Vigil Services will be held at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, March 8, at St. Pius X Church. Rite of Committal will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Evergreen Laurel Heath Care, 820 3rd Ave., Laurel, MT 59044, or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.