Our mother, Carol Ann Wilkinson, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026, just 33 days after our Dad, James “Jim” Anthony Wilkinson. Mom had a habit of making Dad wait, but he loved her dearly, nevertheless. They were married 69 years on June 15, 2026, and we have no doubt that they are together again.

Carol Ann Reynolds was born to Mary Kologi Reynolds and Robert Michael Reynolds on July 14, 1938. She spent summers visiting cousins at the ranch, going on fishing trips with her dad and lifeguarding at South Park Pool. She graduated from Billings Central High in 1955. After high school, she attended Eastern Montana College and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Mom and Dad married on June 15, 1957, and that Fall she began her teaching career at Holy Rosary Catholic School. To her 7 children, Mom was our first teacher. She taught us all how to swim and tried to teach us to play the piano, with an emphasis on “tried.” Mom was a consummate leader and even though she had up to 50 students in a class, she taught every one of those students how to read. She was a Girl Scout Leader and a 4-H Mom too. After her children were all in school, Mom pursued a Master’s Degree in School Counseling and spent 10 years working with young children at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. As a devoted member of music ministry and a co-musician at St. Pius X parish, she played the organ for numerous masses, funerals and weddings. Friends say that she was a role model of how to meet challenges with grace, determination and humor. She once had a severe gall bladder attack while playing the organ during a service. She finished that service, then drove herself to the Emergency Room afterwards.

To say that Mom loved to travel, was an understatement! When her children were young the trips were to visit Grandma Mary in Great Falls, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Lewis and Clark Caverns, Grandma’s cabin on the Dearborn or to visit cousins on the Norris Ranch North of Browning. If she couldn’t take us on a long trip, she drove us on short trips to Red Lodge, to the Pictograph Caves or even just to the top of the Rimrocks. In later years, she traveled to Arizona, California, Oregon, North Carolina, Oahu, Kauai, Costa Rica, Belize, Ireland and other parts of Europe. When one trip was finished, she always had another one in mind.

For her children and grandchildren, Mom was our cheerleader and our advocate for all of our many extra-curricular pursuits and dreams. If we needed someone to have our backs, she was always there for the challenge. Whether we were in Little League, track, hockey, horse shows, musicals, plays, debates, Lacrosse or talent shows, we knew that Mom would be there cheering us on. Mom was an avid reader and read to us from before we could speak. Weekly trips to the library to find new books for all of us including Dad were always part of our family life. Even though Mom didn’t really love animals, her children did. Because of that, she found herself dog sitting, feeding kittens and even bottle-feeding an orphan foal. If we needed her, Mom was always there or on her way.

Mom is survived by her children, Michele (Vince) Serumgard, Sherry (Rick) Brester-Cole, Dave Wilkinson, Rich (Maren) Wilkinson, Susan (Earl) Tate, and Jon (Jill) Wilkinson, grandchildren, Jeremy (Shawn), Kevin (Charlotte), Rio, Tazsia (Ethan), Jordan, Kade, and great granddaughter, Madison Lea, niece and nephew, Joy and Lee Amos and many cousins. Mom was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Erin (Jeanne) Montanne, her husband, James “Jim” Anthony Wilkinson, her sister, Roberta K. Reynolds, her parents, in-laws, uncles, aunts and her Special Norris Family cousins.

Catholic Funeral Mass will be at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 11:00 am with reception to follow and internment at Holy Cross Cemetery at 1:30 pm. Memorials can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.