On March 25, 1942, Kathleen Emilie Nelson was born to parents Ralph and Alma (Steuer) McDonald. With her family surrounding the bedside, Kathy passed away peacefully on June 14, 2016 at her home in Prior Lake, MN.
A Celebration of Life Service, led by the Reverend Larry Kasten, will be held on Saturday, June 18 at 11 am, with a time of gathering two hours prior, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 833 S. Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN. Pall bearers will be Lauren Schrader, Sarah Schrader, Chris Berg, Barb Pinnow, Mary Mahowald and Tammy Beckman. Kathy will be laid to rest with her parents at Concord Hill Cemetery, Lydia, MN.
Kathy grew up on a farm in Lydia and soon married young Royal from Jordan on the 25 th of June, 1960. Their adventure quickly began with Royal serving in the Navy and traveling across the country. Soon their family began to grow with the birth of Rick, Shelly, and Paul. After the service they brought their new family back home to settle in Prior Lake. Not before long, the 3 young children had grown into adults and were ready for the beginning of a lifelong friendship from Mom and Dad. The tight bond will forever be there. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together as a family, the food is always a ten, and so was the fun. A bond we are so fortunate to have.
Kathy and Royal own a home up North where they spend most of their time, fishing, cooking and creating memories that will live forever with all of us. Kathy loved to take her girlfriends up north for girls weekends; from Afternoons Ice Fishing, Shamu in the pond, Four wheeler rides in the woods, and numerous other activities we won’t get into – that she liked to instigate so much!
Royal would take the folks out on the pontoon to fish and see the eagle nests, beaver dams, cut trees, four wheeler rides, deer hunting, or hosting afternoon happy hours. Happy they were ….. to say the least.
Kathy made friends wherever she went. She walked up to strangers, touched them with laughter, then her gentle touch, and soon they’re lifelong friends. Kathy was an amazing mother, grandmother, wife, sister, daughter/ in-law, and friend. She has been the town therapist, police force coffee shop, hair stylist for neighbors, seamstress, Wool mitten maker, dancing queen and constant entertainer. Her door was always open to stop by and talk about life. They had countless friends come to their cabin over many years. Kathy made delectable food for non-stop eating. She was a great fisherwoman, ice fisher, sure-shot with the gun, talented painter, crafter and gardener. She has loved her family beyond words and was always there for them. We celebrated every single holiday together and weekly gatherings.
Grandma Kathy helped us and taught us something new every day – how to fish, how to make the best crepes, handmade mittens, Christmas wreaths, how to find the best garage sales. Her friendship and caring nature was appreciated by everyone she touched. Her spirit will live on forever in all of us.
Kathy’s favorite flower was the Pink and White Lady Slipper. Her favorite color was blue. Her favorite song was Paradise by the Dashboard Light. She loved to dance and sing out loud! The girls’ weekends were full of laughter, dancing and singing from the kitchen island stage. Yes they stood on top and sang their hearts out loud. She loved to fish off of the dock. She would always take you on a walk through the woods to see the eagles nest, pick princess pine to make wreaths and look for interesting mushrooms to carve on. She was a gifted painter.
She is survived by loving husband, Royal; children, Rick Nelson, Shelly (George) Skvicalo, Paul (Kristi) Nelson. Kathy also lived through her three grandchildren, Andrew, Lauren, Sarah. She is too survived by her sister, Sally West; many relatives and friends.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Alma McDonald.
