Kathleen M. “Katie” Voss, 82, of Austin, died Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Katie was born Sept. 4, 1931, in Austin to Fred and Kathleen (Cassidy) Edson. She graduated from Austin High School in 1949, and went on to work at Hormel and Fantel’s clothing store, which became the source of Don’s Dec. 23 Christmas gift purchases for many years.

Katie was united in marriage to Donald R. Voss on Aug. 7, 1950, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin. Their Christ-centered marriage of 49 years provided love and laughter, memories of Friday night dancing at the Legion, trips to California, eating at Tolly’s and being part of the Hardee’s coffee gang. Their union provided five children, Collette, Margy, Michael, Mark and Ann. The title “Mom” was one Katie was immensely proud of. If you ever had the occasion of meeting Katie out in the community with her family, she was quick to introduce you. Annual trips up north for vacation were a “labor of love” for Katie, making sure the batch of soft chocolate chip cookies was abundant, and that the fishing and shopping trips were a success. Birthdays always meant Katie’s famous secret recipe of potato cake and fudge frosting.

For Katie, being Grandma and Great Grandma was a continuation of her family pride and joy. It was often stated that as long as the grandchildren arrived, seeing their parents was optional. Katie provided the best daycare her granddaughters Sarah and Katie could have. While Katie was an avid cheerleader for all sporting events her role was often keeping Grandpa Don in line.

Katie’s love and talent to sew, knit, quilt and cross-stitch means her family and friends will forever have keepsakes stitched with love. Katie was an avid reader and was active with the St. Olaf Auxiliary and St. Edward’s Catholic Church. Katie also shared her time and talents volunteering with Sacred Heart Auxiliary and reading with students in daughter Margy’s classroom as “Grandma Katie.” Later in life, Katie enjoyed taking monthly adventures with her high school classmates.

Katie is survived by her children, Collette Ulwelling, of Austin, Minn.; Margy Voss, of LeRoy, Minn., Mark (Cindy) Voss, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Ann (Ted) Reicher, of Davenport, Iowa; grandchildren, Sarah (Thang), Katie (Brian), Brice and Seth; great grandchildren, Marcus, Maxwell, Mason, Aiden, and Brady; nieces Leigh and Nancy of California.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; son, Michael; infant son, Freddie; parents and sister, Margaret.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes and Father Paul Nelson officiating. There will be a 6:45 p.m. rosary on Wednesday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.