Kathleen E. Laskewitz, 78, of Austin, Minnesota, died Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, at Sacred Heart Care Center, Austin.

Kathleen Evelyn Smith was born Sept. 30, 1936, in Austin, Minnesota, to Leonard and Dorothea (Freund) Smith. She attended St. Augustine Catholic Schools in Austin, graduating in 1954. On May 19, 1956, Kathleen was united in marriage to Jerald Laskewitz at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin. The couple raised five children. Kathleen enjoyed her life as a homemaker, as well as her jobs at the Dime and Dollar Store jewelry counter and as a proofreader at the Austin Daily Herald. She enjoyed writing children’s stories, sewing, cooking and baking, taking care of family and playing with her grandchildren. Kathleen enjoyed being outdoors with nature, doing her gardening, going fishing, taking walks, collecting rocks, leaves, shells, and fossils. A lifelong resident of Austin, she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Kathleen is survived by her husband Jerald “Jerry” Laskewitz of Austin, Minnesota; her children: LeaAnn (LaVerne) Gilbert of Dexter, Minnesota, Dale (Pam) Laskewitz of Austin, Minnesota, Sharon (Matt) Holten of Austin, Minnesota, Sue Wolf, also of Austin, Minnesota, and Terese Ingvaldson (Trent Hinkley) of Rochester, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren: Ellen (Jesse) Sheehan, Curtis Gilbert, Travis Gilbert (Brianna Lipa), Jennifer Laskewitz, Derek Laskewitz (Beth Schaefer), Michael Holten (Alicia Weatherly), Alexandra Holten, Heather Wolf, Ethan Wolf, and Isaac Ingvaldson; as well as Trent Hinkley’s children, Zachary and Avery Hinkley; great-grandchildren: Tannor Sheehan, as well as Maddy and Carter Sheehan; her brother George Smith of Encino, California.

She was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Dorothea Smith; and her sister-in-law Martha Smith.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with Father Raul Silva officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin. Memorials can be directed to Queen of Angels Catholic Church or recipient of donor’s choice. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.