Kathleen Birk Ruddy Dorn, 72, daughter of Danish mother Edna and Irish father Thomas, sister of Ann, Tom, John, Betsy, and Rob, 50 year wife of high school friend John, passed away on April 8th. Kathleen was a lifelong educator in multiple ways: librarian at old Carnegie library through high school and college (she wanted to help with family finances), elementary teacher in Wisconsin and Mankato, Jr. High teacher and GED instructor in Mankato, Newspaper in Education coordinator at Free Press, Director of CCD at St. John's parish, substitute counselor and short-term instructor while grad student at MSU, facilitator for Mankato Heart Health Program, instigator of countless projects, first while raising children Christopher, Rebekah (Paul) Budziszewski, and Megan (Troy) Schoeneberger, and then by trying to spoil grandchildren Kyle, Cora, Ruby, and Eliza (don't think they'll ever forget last summer's "Grandma Camp" and this summer's "Resort Camp").
Blessed with an impeccable eye for color and design and a loving sensitivity for John's New Ulm German "pecuniary peculiarities" (she also found really tremendous, quite awesome good deals), Kathy shared her passion for art by creating beautiful quilts and displaying tasteful collections of just about anything you can think of - dinnerware, dishes, pottery, paintings, family photos-thus filling her century old mission style home (she orchestrated the extensive remodeling project of 2003-2004) with beauty, elegance, and warmth. Her gardens are highlighted with thrift store treasures that became Gnome Gnoll, Troll Estates, and Faerie Garden Village. The challenge of recreating these scenes now passes to the grandkids.
Kathy's most memorable lesson plan will be how well she lived while dealing with blood cancer (diagnosed in 2011). Her ever-present sense of humor helped her, first through numerous transfusions and three hospitalizations before a stem cell transplant in 2012 (she was still able to fulfill class president duties by organizing her 50 year class reunion in 2011), then more doctoring until the final ambulance ride to the U of M in early April. But it should come as no surprise that there was laughter in the room the few times Kathy awoke on her last day.
Kathy was always gracious and thoughtful while working with countless wonderful nurses, aides, and medical specialists who attended to her scalp, the bottoms of her feet, and just about everything in between. She willingly participated in medical studies while doctoring and will continue to educate via the Anatomy Bequest Program at the U of M. She knew the next generation of Doctors and Nurses needs more then textbooks to continue advancing medical procedures and treatments for the benefit of patients in the global village. Yes, she will be missed. But she is still educating, still trying to help.
Kathy wanted her grandkids to know her, so in lieu of flowers the family hopes friends can share a memory of Kathy Ruddy Dorn via internet or snailmail or by bringing hugs and memories while celebrating her life at Dakota Meadows Middle School in North Mankato on May 14 (1-4).
Published in the Mankato Free Press April, 2016
Blessed with an impeccable eye for color and design and a loving sensitivity for John's New Ulm German "pecuniary peculiarities" (she also found really tremendous, quite awesome good deals), Kathy shared her passion for art by creating beautiful quilts and displaying tasteful collections of just about anything you can think of - dinnerware, dishes, pottery, paintings, family photos-thus filling her century old mission style home (she orchestrated the extensive remodeling project of 2003-2004) with beauty, elegance, and warmth. Her gardens are highlighted with thrift store treasures that became Gnome Gnoll, Troll Estates, and Faerie Garden Village. The challenge of recreating these scenes now passes to the grandkids.
Kathy's most memorable lesson plan will be how well she lived while dealing with blood cancer (diagnosed in 2011). Her ever-present sense of humor helped her, first through numerous transfusions and three hospitalizations before a stem cell transplant in 2012 (she was still able to fulfill class president duties by organizing her 50 year class reunion in 2011), then more doctoring until the final ambulance ride to the U of M in early April. But it should come as no surprise that there was laughter in the room the few times Kathy awoke on her last day.
Kathy was always gracious and thoughtful while working with countless wonderful nurses, aides, and medical specialists who attended to her scalp, the bottoms of her feet, and just about everything in between. She willingly participated in medical studies while doctoring and will continue to educate via the Anatomy Bequest Program at the U of M. She knew the next generation of Doctors and Nurses needs more then textbooks to continue advancing medical procedures and treatments for the benefit of patients in the global village. Yes, she will be missed. But she is still educating, still trying to help.
Kathy wanted her grandkids to know her, so in lieu of flowers the family hopes friends can share a memory of Kathy Ruddy Dorn via internet or snailmail or by bringing hugs and memories while celebrating her life at Dakota Meadows Middle School in North Mankato on May 14 (1-4).
Published in the Mankato Free Press April, 2016
Kathleen Birk Ruddy Dorn, 72, daughter of Danish mother Edna and Irish father Thomas, sister of Ann, Tom, John, Betsy, and Rob, 50 year wife of high school friend John, passed away on April 8th. Kathleen was a lifelong educator in multiple ways: librarian at old Carnegie library through high school and college (she wanted to help with family finances), elementary teacher in Wisconsin and Mankato, Jr. High teacher and GED instructor in Mankato, Newspaper in Education coordinator at Free Press, Director of CCD at St. John's parish, substitute counselor and short-term instructor while grad student at MSU, facilitator for Mankato Heart Health Program, instigator of countless projects, first while raising children Christopher, Rebekah (Paul) Budziszewski, and Megan (Troy) Schoeneberger, and then by trying to spoil grandchildren Kyle, Cora, Ruby, and Eliza (don't think they'll ever forget last summer's "Grandma Camp" and this summer's "Resort Camp").
Blessed with an impeccable eye for color and design and a loving sensitivity for John's New Ulm German "pecuniary peculiarities" (she also found really tremendous, quite awesome good deals), Kathy shared her passion for art by creating beautiful quilts and displaying tasteful collections of just about anything you can think of - dinnerware, dishes, pottery, paintings, family photos-thus filling her century old mission style home (she orchestrated the extensive remodeling project of 2003-2004) with beauty, elegance, and warmth. Her gardens are highlighted with thrift store treasures that became Gnome Gnoll, Troll Estates, and Faerie Garden Village. The challenge of recreating these scenes now passes to the grandkids.
Kathy's most memorable lesson plan will be how well she lived while dealing with blood cancer (diagnosed in 2011). Her ever-present sense of humor helped her, first through numerous transfusions and three hospitalizations before a stem cell transplant in 2012 (she was still able to fulfill class president duties by organizing her 50 year class reunion in 2011), then more doctoring until the final ambulance ride to the U of M in early April. But it should come as no surprise that there was laughter in the room the few times Kathy awoke on her last day.
Kathy was always gracious and thoughtful while working with countless wonderful nurses, aides, and medical specialists who attended to her scalp, the bottoms of her feet, and just about everything in between. She willingly participated in medical studies while doctoring and will continue to educate via the Anatomy Bequest Program at the U of M. She knew the next generation of Doctors and Nurses needs more then textbooks to continue advancing medical procedures and treatments for the benefit of patients in the global village. Yes, she will be missed. But she is still educating, still trying to help.
Kathy wanted her grandkids to know her, so in lieu of flowers the family hopes friends can share a memory of Kathy Ruddy Dorn via internet or snailmail or by bringing hugs and memories while celebrating her life at Dakota Meadows Middle School in North Mankato on May 14 (1-4).
Published in the Mankato Free Press April, 2016
Blessed with an impeccable eye for color and design and a loving sensitivity for John's New Ulm German "pecuniary peculiarities" (she also found really tremendous, quite awesome good deals), Kathy shared her passion for art by creating beautiful quilts and displaying tasteful collections of just about anything you can think of - dinnerware, dishes, pottery, paintings, family photos-thus filling her century old mission style home (she orchestrated the extensive remodeling project of 2003-2004) with beauty, elegance, and warmth. Her gardens are highlighted with thrift store treasures that became Gnome Gnoll, Troll Estates, and Faerie Garden Village. The challenge of recreating these scenes now passes to the grandkids.
Kathy's most memorable lesson plan will be how well she lived while dealing with blood cancer (diagnosed in 2011). Her ever-present sense of humor helped her, first through numerous transfusions and three hospitalizations before a stem cell transplant in 2012 (she was still able to fulfill class president duties by organizing her 50 year class reunion in 2011), then more doctoring until the final ambulance ride to the U of M in early April. But it should come as no surprise that there was laughter in the room the few times Kathy awoke on her last day.
Kathy was always gracious and thoughtful while working with countless wonderful nurses, aides, and medical specialists who attended to her scalp, the bottoms of her feet, and just about everything in between. She willingly participated in medical studies while doctoring and will continue to educate via the Anatomy Bequest Program at the U of M. She knew the next generation of Doctors and Nurses needs more then textbooks to continue advancing medical procedures and treatments for the benefit of patients in the global village. Yes, she will be missed. But she is still educating, still trying to help.
Kathy wanted her grandkids to know her, so in lieu of flowers the family hopes friends can share a memory of Kathy Ruddy Dorn via internet or snailmail or by bringing hugs and memories while celebrating her life at Dakota Meadows Middle School in North Mankato on May 14 (1-4).
Published in the Mankato Free Press April, 2016
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Gravesite Details
Kathleen's memorial is on the reverse side of Willard and Lois Dorn
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