Kathleen Haroldson

Kathleen (St. Germain) Haroldson, Kay to all who knew her, ended her battle with cancer on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017.

She was born on June 6, 1928, to parents John Thomas St. Germain and Catherine Malony St. Germain, who raised her and her loving sister Josephine, on their family farm outside of Opheim.

She attended Opheim School, where she excelled and graduated at the early age of 16. She met and married her soulmate, Joseph Haroldson, on Nov. 6, 1948. She and Joe lived with her father-in-law, John, and brother-in-law, LeRoy Haroldson, on the family farm south of Opheim. She and Joe lived there for 10 years, in which time she worked diligently to care for all three Haroldson farmers. They eventually built and moved to the home on the hill, where she still resided.

She and Joe raised three daughters, Debra, Michelle and Candace. While caring for Joe and the girls, she also provided a loving home for her mother, Catherine "Grammy" after "Grandpa" St. Germain passed away.

Her talents were endless. She could shoot, pitch to the grandkids, bake, golf, paint and design, to name a few. She had a sense of style that was unmatched. A very classy lady is how she was often described.

One of her greatest talents and one that she shared with so many, was her painting. Her unique gift to see the depths of color and transfer that to canvas was remarkable. If the sunsets and rainbows seem just a little more vibrant now, it is very likely that Kay has a hand in that.

She loved to have fun. She was an avid sports fan and spent hours watching professional baseball, football and golf. Whether dancing, bowling, fishing, traveling, attending sporting events or just spending time with friends and family, she relished every minute.

She worked tirelessly to create a beautiful home and yard, and the door was always open to her many friends, family and strangers. Her friends came often to have coffee and in the meantime, she would cut, color and style their hair, teach them to paint and provide the best baked goodies in the country.

Grandma Kay's greatest love was family, especially her grandchildren. From the time they were fussy babies when she was oftentimes the only one who could calm them, to the present, where they were able to care and comfort her. If her grandkids were playing baseball, football, basketball or running track, she was there, loving every minute.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Josephine; her husband, Joe; and one precious granddaughter, Tiffiny Brooke Shumaker.

Survivors include three daughters, Debra Jangula and friend, Denny, Michelle Crandell and her husband, Jay, and Candace Solberg and her husband, Wayne; five grandchildren, Payton Shumaker, Cassidy Solberg and his wife, Hailey, Tawny Criswell and her husband, Kevin, Dylan Solberg and Joseph Blakemore; six great-grandchildren, Catherine Criswell, Macy Criswell, Cobie Criswell, Justelle Kay Criswell, Sadie Solberg, Lacie Mallory; and her treasured niece, Kathy Knoop and nephews.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m., at the Opheim Lutheran Church, followed by a committal service at the Lawndale Cemetery in Opheim, and then refreshments and fellowship back at the church.

Pallbearers were (grandsons) Payton Shumaker, Cassidy Solberg, Dylan Solberg and Joseph Blakemore and (nephews) Tom Hanson, Randy Hanson, Kent Brown, Lanny Hanson and Larry Hanson.