Isabel F. Prowse 103
Isabel Frances Leverton Prowse was born on October 1, 1922. She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. She went home to heaven surrounded by family on December 20, 2025.
Isabel lived most of her life in Butte, Montana. She attended Emerson Elementary and Butte High where she was in the drum corps, and she graduated in 1940. She went on to attend Montana State College until the war broke out and she had to return to Butte to join the work force at Metals Bank & Trust from 1941-1946. Isabel remained a loyal Bobcat fan and she enjoyed telling her great grandchildren who were MSU students about her escapades as a college freshman.
Isabel met Robert Lloyd Prowse and they were married on May 17, 1946. She and Lloyd made their home on Aberdeen Street, and they enjoyed 47 years of marriage. They raised their daughters, Charlene and Janet, at this address. Isabel was a wonderful homemaker. She enjoyed preparing meals and caring for her family. She was a phenomenal seamstress and made many of the girls’ clothes.
Isabel belonged to Ruth Chaper OES and Grand Cross of Color Rainbow Girls. She enhanced her creative abilities as a member of Marion White Arts & Crafts. Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, pottery, quilting and crossword puzzles. Isabel was a member of the Presbyterian bell ringers and enjoyed entertaining and traveling with the group for 20 years. She was a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church for over 75 years and held tightly to her faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Her example of faith has carried through to her daughters and their families. Isabel was honored as a SBC Centenarian in 2024 and 2025.
Lloyd and Isabel enjoyed golfing and traveling with their good friends, Bill and Olga Campbell. After many memorable years on Aberdeen Street, they moved to Continental Drive where they enjoyed spending time and doing creative activities with their grandchildren. Our wonderful family traditions continued at this address with many 4th of July and Christmas celebrations. Many traditions included food and Gigi will be remembered for her shrimp salad, pasties, English saffron nubbies and bread and mincemeat pie.
Isabel was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Fannie Leverton, her brother Reginald and her beloved husband, Lloyd, who passed away in 1992. She is survived by daughters Charlene Kautzman (Ron) of Butte and Janet Morrison (Randy) of Missoula. She leaves behind her grandchildren Kristel Callahan (Mike), Brent Kautzman (Jessie), Brienne Meyer (Luke), Lindsey Smith (Brandon; great grandchildren Meleah Kilbourne (Matt), Lexie Sampson (Ben), Casey and Camille Kautzman, Mischa and Teague Meyer, Jaxen and Lydia Smith; great great grandchildren Jay and Addison Kilbourne and niece Corlette Sande (Ken) and family and honorary granddaughter Carrie Powell.
The family would like to thank Big Sky Senior Living for the extraordinary care they took of our Gigi. The office and kitchen staff were incredible. Special thanks for the nursing staff and especially Cathy and Melinda who treated our Mom like their own and were with us in her final moments providing comfort for all of us. Thank you to Headwaters Hospice and Axelson’s Funeral Home for the care and direction they provided as well.
Services to celebrate Isabel’s life will be Saturday, January 3rd at 1:00 in Big Sky Waterford Chapel, 3701 Elizabeth Warren Ave. in Butte, with light refreshments to follow in the ice cream parlor.
Memorials in honor of the long life of Isabel may be given to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1621 Thornton Ave., Butte, MT 59701, or Relational Wisdom 360, 4460 Laredo Place, Billings, MT 59106, or to a charity of the individual’s choice.
Please visit below to offer condolences to the family or to share a memory of Isabel. Axelson Funeral & Cremations is privileged to care for Isabel and her family.
“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at Heaven’s gate”. Proverbs 31:31
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
1 p.m
Saturday January 3, 2026
Chapel of Big Sky Senior Living
3701 Elizabeth Warren Ave
Butte, MT 59701
Reception
Immediately Following
Saturday January 3, 2026
Ice Cream Parlor of Big Sky
3701 Elizabeth Warren Ave
Butte, MT 59701
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Carol J Zaharko says
From all the “Campbell Kids” – our deepest sympathy to you, Charlene & Janet and your families. We have so many wonderful memories of our family get togethers ❤️. And, the memories of the “insta-tears” with our moms. We hope your many memories bring you comfort.
Tom/Judy Rolfe says
Our sincere condolences as you say farewell to this wonderful lady and my Mom’s (Adeline Fisher) dear friend Lisabel’. Our mothers were very dear lifelong friends and we want you all to know we’re thinking of you all at this difficult time. Please know we care and you’re in our prayers.
Lori Paull says
Char, Janet, Kristell, Lindsey, Brie and families. Condolences on your loss. What a wonderful life, and she had such a wonderful family.
Bruce Campbell says
I found a letter to Isabel from my mother Olga Campbell dated September 1, 2015. The last line seems appropriate:
“Hope this finds you well and happy in your new home.
Love, Olga”
Barbara Davis says
Janet and Charlene – I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet mother. She was such a beautiful and kind person. My love and prayers are with you.
Love, Barbara Davis
Kenneth Kaufmann says
What a fantastic life to celebrate. Mrs. Prowse (as I knew her) babysat my mother (Marilyn Slauson, now 90 years old) and regularly attended Slauson family events in Butte over many decades. She looks elegant in my parents’ wedding album. The beautiful quilt she made as my wedding present hangs on the bedroom wall.
As a young child, on summer vacation from Portland, I looked forward to visiting the Prowses, Isabel’s parents (Fran and Charlie), her children, and grandchildren. After I finished college, no visit to Butte was complete without a stop at Isabel’s on Continental Drive. I never heard her utter a cross word. For years, Isabel was the only one I knew who was older than my father, Victor Kaufmann (b. 7/26/1925; d. 12/31/2025). I am in awe of all Isabel has seen, all she has done, and who she was.