In Remembrance

Kathleen “Kathy” Patchen, 79, died peacefully and unexpectedly at her home in Duluth MN on August 11, 2021. A beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, she will be dearly missed.

Kathy was born May 18, 1942 to Hazel Mae (King) and Karl Wagner Burch in St. Peter, MN. The family moved to Mankato, MN where she graduated from Mankato High School. She was selected for attendance at Interlochen Music Camp as a violinist and maintained a love of music throughout her life. Kathy became an English major and actor at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. There she met and married Virgil V Peterson, with whom she had 1 daughter.

She held a number of detail-oriented jobs including draftsperson, law office administrator, customer service trainer, graphic designer and business owner. In her retirement, after beating breast cancer in 2005, she began crocheting chemo caps and creating greeting cards for charity and her neighbors. She also enjoyed making buttons and magnets with witty, funny or faith-related themes. She loved making handcrafts, chatting with people about their orders and making all her customers feel special.

The roles Kathy filled with greatest enthusiasm were mother and grandmother, so much so that Kathy and Lyle moved to Duluth in 2011 to be closer to family. Love of family was at the forefront of all she did, and everyone around her was aware of the special place they had in her heart. She gave great counsel based on her life experiences including celebrating sobriety for 47 years. She spoke with kindness, had a ready smile and gave wonderful hugs. Her Christian faith was strong and guided her life choices. Her favorite saying was “Love is all there is”.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents Hazel and Karl Burch, sister Claire Gau (Alvin), brother Clark Burch, nephew Michael Gau, and best friend and life partner Lyle E Patchen, who called her his biggest cheerleader.

Survived by daughter Dawn and son-in-law Adam Stevenson, Duluth MN; grandchildren Marith Stevenson and husband Calib Achartz, Hamish Stevenson, Nancy Swanson; nephews Jeff Gau (Joyce), Dan Gau (Tracy), Tom Gau (Jane); nieces Deb Baker (Pat) and Jude Mulligan (Mike); cousins; extended family and friends.

Kathy will be celebrated at a private service at Pine Hill Lutheran Church on Saturday morning, September 18, 2021. She will be interred at a later date in Mankato MN.

If you would like to honor Kathy’s memory, please consider making a donation to help people seeking financial assistance for breast cancer treatment and medicines.