Katherine Hollenstein

Katherine D. Hollenstein, age 82 of Cottage Grove, passed away Aug. 7, 2015 at home surrounded in loving support by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am, Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., St. Paul Park with visitation starting at 9:30 am. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Katherine (Kathy) Hollenstein was born August 8th, 1932 in Crystal Falls, Michigan. The youngest of five children born to Helen (Kukura) Barna and Michael Barna Sr, she attended Guardian Angels Catholic Church and graduated from Forest Park High School. She attended St.Luke's School of Nursing in Marquette, MI receiving her degree as a registered nurse. During her hospital training in Madison, WI she met Gene Henry Hollenstein. They were united in marriage on September 3rd 1955 at Guardian Angels church in Crystal Falls, MI. In their early years together they lived in Madison, Oklahoma, and Minneapolis until settling in Cottage Grove, Minnesota in 1959 where they remained and raised their family.

Kathy worked as an ICU nurse at Mounds Park hospital for the first half of her professional career. She later enjoyed working as a substitute school nurse and a duty nurse for 3M at various locations in the cities.

While raising her family, it was also important for Kathy to give and share in the community. She volunteered at many different events where she shared her talents in the healing arts, and closer to home, was known as the "neighborhood nurse". After her children were grown, she increased her active involvement in many church committees. The Community of St Thomas Aquinas was a steadfast source of support and love for Kathy and served as an avenue through which she expressed her passion for service, social justice and study of scripture.

Kathy didn't dwell on the difficulties of life.She was a quiet "do-er", and was happiest when she was giving. Her courageous spirit and deeply rooted faith continued to inspire others as she walked her final path gently and with grace. She crossed over on Friday, August 7, 2015 at her home, surrounded in loving support by her family.

She leaves the legacy of a grateful heart: creating beauty both in her physical world and in the hearts of those she touched. She was a true servant both to God and those around her. She will be remembered for her loving and giving nature.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gene Hollenstein, her parents, Helen and Mike Barna Sr., her brother Mike Barna Jr. and her sisters, Margaret Barna, Mary Barna, Helen Masuga and son-in-law Jim Waage. She is survived by her children Paul (Julie) Hollenstein of Lauderdale, MN, Paula (Stuart) van Tuyl of Wedel, Germany, and Jean Hollenstein of Glenwood, MN. Her nieces Margy and Chris Chapman and Cathy (Dave) Butts of Michigan, Pam (Todd) Holly of Florida and nephew Terry Worden of Florida. Grandchildren Christian and Matthew Waage of Glenwood and Ellen and Lucas van Tuyl of Germany.