Archives West Finding Aid

Stella Wilson nee' Twedt was born in North Dakota in 1919 or 1920 to Edward and Emma Twedt. She had one sister, Hazel, who was a few years younger than she. In 1920, the family was living in Nolan, Montana (located in Hill County), where Edward worked an a grain stock farmer. Kenneth E. Wilson (listed as "Neilson" in the 1920 census) was born to Frances M. and Mabel Wilson in 1916. Like Stella's father, Kenneth's father worked as a grain stock farmer; in 1920 the family (which included Kenneth's two siblings, Albert and Marion) was living in Kremlin, Montana. Kenneth married Stella in 1941, and the couple would have eight children together: (Andrew) David, Robert, Roger, Donald, Howard, Rachael, Bruce, and Ruth. The family owned a farm in Kremlin, and also kept a "town house" in Havre, so that the children could attend public school there. The Wilson family was active in community and school activities, including 4-H, theater, debate, and music. Kenneth served as a Methodist missionary in Haiti during the winter months when the farm did not require his attention. Stella served on the Havre school board, and was involved in other community volunteerism. Stella passed away in 1974 in Cascade County; Kenneth 21 years later in 1995.