Theresa "Teri" Alice Knott

Theresa A. “Teri” Knott, 96, of Great Falls passed away on January 2, 2023, and is now reunited with her son, Bill Tesinsky; husband, James R Knott; stepdaughter, Joanne Knott Messman; and daughter-in-law, Gail Tesinsky. Teri was also preceded in death by all nine of her siblings and Pookie, her beloved chihuahua.

Teri is survived by her son, Ron Tesinsky and stepsons, Raymond (Sheri) Knott, Arthur (Alysa) Knott, and Carl Knott. A grandmother to eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

Tess (or Tessie as she was known to her parents and siblings) was born to Margaret and Nick Madler on November 6, 1926, on their homestead near Baker, Montana. The ninth of 10 children, Tess was orphaned at the age of eight and was raised by her older siblings in the Baker area and spent time with aunts and uncles in other parts of Montana. Later, she and her younger sister, Jane finished their school years at St Thomas Orphans’ Home in Great Falls.

Tess won the Heisey Award for academic excellence and graduated valedictorian of the St Thomas High School class of 1944. She earned two college scholarships (one for an art school in Kansas City) but turned both down. Instead, she took a job with Great Falls National Bank, and it was around this time Tess asked friends and colleagues to call her Teri. She later said she should have continued to go by Tess, but truthfully “Tess Tesinsky” is a bit of a mouthful, so it all worked out for the best.

Teri married in 1947 and raised two darling sons on the Tesinsky Ranch between Belt and Stockett. Ranch life was hard – no bathroom, no indoor toilet, no running water, no phone, no refrigerator, and heated with a coal stove. This was no “Little House on the Prairie,” but Teri was resilient and a loving and devoted mother. In her autobiography, she writes “I had no experience in cooking at all” and learned fast, battling with the coal stove. Teri enjoyed fishing, gardening, being outdoors and raising animals on the ranch, including an orphaned fawn.

She did have a steady hand – Teri once shot a rattlesnake as it made its way into the backyard of the ranch house where her children were enjoying a birthday party with friends – first ordering the kids into the house and then realizing that despite it cartwheeling across the yard it somehow survived, and she finally had to kill it with a rock. Always quick to laugh and armed with a wicked sense of humor, Teri became a prolific prankster. Many unsuspecting workhands and neighbors fell victim to her sweet and innocent face until they sat on a hidden whoopee cushion or slipped on a strategically placed pile of plastic vomit.

In her book, Teri writes with such a tender heart about her sons. She tells fantastic stories of life on the ranch and the boys growing up. When they grew to young adulthood, Teri describes Bill and Ron as “very daring motorcycle riders but they knew how to handle their bikes” and she compares the boys’ riding styles (and oddly enough, their overarching approach to life) she writes, “If Bill took somebody for a ride, he would be so careful to make it a smooth and very comfortable ride, for me anyway. Riding with Ron, however, was a different story. He would rev up the motor and take off fast; even treating me to a wheelie or two as he’d dash around on an exciting tour.”

Once her sons were grown, Teri returned to Great Falls where she finished her working years in the Sears credit department alongside a group of like-minded sassy “gals.” She married for a second time in 1968, to a dashing US Navy veteran and WWII Pearl Harbor survivor – Jim Knott. Together they raised his four children. They retired and built a log cabin near Utica where they mined Yogo sapphires – an experience they shared with their children and grandchildren. Teri painted pictures and designed jewelry. Jim learned to cut gems. They sold their wares at craft shows in the winters spent snow birding in Arizona. Over the years, they joined Jim’s shipmates from the USS Phoenix for reunions. Teri and Jim were featured on an NBC national nightly news human interest piece that told their love story and showed them at the cabin running the jig and faceting stones. The last frames of film showing Teri and Jim walking away from the camera at sunset, holding hands - the “orphan who went looking for treasure and found it.”

In 1986, Teri lost her eldest son Bill. His passing left a hole in her heart that could never heal. Not a day went by that she didn’t mention him or pray for him. Her sons, Bill and Ron were her world. In memory of Bill, Teri had a tree planted on Flag Hill in Great Falls. Every year at Christmas time she went to the tree and placed a candy cane on it. It was Bill’s favorite holiday and it helped her keep his memory alive.

Jim passed away in 2004 after a long illness. Teri sold the cabin and returned to Great Falls. Jim’s passing left another hole in her heart and this time it was filled with the mischievous chihuahua, Pookie – they made a perfect pair. It was also during this period that the inimitable Helen Richards came into Teri’s life. Over her lifetime Teri treasured many close and long-lasting friendships, but what she and Helen shared was different. They both matched each other’s positive energy and shared a spunky attitude toward life – lifting each other up at what was a sad time. That friendship continued for the rest of Teri’s days. Their knack for mischief and the mutual enjoyment of each other’s company was a blessing to them both and to Teri’s family.

During these past years, Teri was a docent at CM Russell Museum, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, and she was passionate about playing pool. Teri said she preferred to play pool with men (because they played by the rules) but nevertheless was a 12-year member of the women’s pool league. Teri was also a member of the Missouri River Shooters Association, the Lamplighters Singles Club, and loved bowling and playing cards. Teri faithfully attended mass at Catholic churches around the city.

In 2017, Teri took residence in the Beehive in Great Falls, and thanks to Ancestry.com and curious genealogists in the family, Teri delighted in meeting more of the children and grandchildren of her late siblings and enjoyed a steady stream of visitors from far and wide in her later years. No doubt they were delighted too - Teri was everything you could want in an auntie and a prolific letter writer to us all right to the end.

Teri was “Montana tough” and shoveled her own snow into her 80s. Teri spoke her mind and was direct. She was “full of the dickens” (one of her favorite phrases) and had no filter. Teri was honest to a fault - if you left the seat up - God help you. Want some fun? Go play pool with Teri – she would hustle some cash from unsuspecting parties (usually men) and tuck it into your pockets.

Her faith never wavered no matter what sadness life brought her. And Teri knew loss and sadness. She stood up for what she believed in. Teri loved her country; she was fiercely protective of her family; and she set an extraordinary example – hers truly was a life fully lived. But goodness, she will be missed.

Teri’s wish for no services is being honored and her ashes will be interred at Highland Cemetery, next to Jim. If so inclined, please donate to the animal charity of your choice with Teri in mind. If you would like to honor her in true “Teri style,” please raise a glass of something strong in her memory – she would undoubtedly approve.

Rest in peace, Darling Country Girl. We look forward to the day we see you again. Until then, we thank you for all the love and as always, we hold you close in our hearts.

The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone. John 8:29

So also, you may have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. John 16:22

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8