KALISPELL, MONTANA - Kathleen Nova (Kelly) Titland, 87, an Air Force WASP veteran who taught in Cut Bank until retiring, died of natural causes May 22 at her home in Kalispell. A memorial service with military honors is 2 p.m. Monday at John-son Mortuary Chapel in Kalispell. Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Kathleen was born Jan. 18, 1920, in Duran, N.M., the daughter of Daniel and Nova (Simpson) Kelly. She was raised in Tucum-cari, N.M., and graduated from New Mexico State University with a degree in education.
Meeting the requirements for the newly created Army Air Forces flying training program for women pilots, Kathleen paid her way to Texas in early 1943. On August 7, 1943, she graduated as a member of WASP class 43-4, the largest class ever to graduate (112). From Avenger Field, she was sent to Love Field as a pilot with the Fifth Ferrying Group. However, shortly after arriving, her orders were changed, and she was sent to Camp Davis, North Carolina, where she became one of the first women to tow targets for ground to air artillery training. She pursued flying with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP); flying various airplanes during World War II.
She was united in marriage to Robert John Titland on June 1, 1947, in Superior, Mont.
After receiving a master's of education degree, she enjoyed a long teaching career in Cut Bank, Mont., until retiring after 25 years.
Following her retirement, she volunteered for many years at Kalispell Regional Medical Center and the Kalispell Dialysis Center. She enjoyed traveling, painting, hiking, photography and continued to enjoy flying.
Survivors include a son, Robert (Michelle) Titland Jr. of Great Falls; three daughters, Lee Scroggins of Las Vegas, Nev., Susan (Mark) Foley of Wasilla, Alaska, and Sara Tutland of Albu-querque, N.M.; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 1994.
The family suggests that memo-rial contributions be sent to the Dialysis Patient Fund, 135 Com-mons Way, Kalispell, MT 59901. Condolences may be sent online to johnsonmortuary.com and/or greatfall-stribune.com/obituaries.
V/R posted by Nancy Parrish Jan 25, 2011
Original notice: Great Falls Tribune on 6/3/2007.
More on target towing at Camp Davis, North Carolina
Mrs. Titland, I will always remember you as the most intelligent kind lady I've ever met. You were a role model to all of us. Always Barb. A.
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