Kathy Susan Orth, 64, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away at her home Aug. 31, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.

Kathy was born June 21, 1952, in Austin, Minnesota, the daughter of Idore and Gloria Larson. Kathy graduated from Austin High School where she participated in the singing group the Austinaires. Kathy attended the Austin Community College, graduated from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota, and completed her education by earning a master’s degree in Nursing at the University of Minnesota.

Kathy’s nursing career began at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, followed by teaching nursing first at the College of St. Teresa, followed by teaching at Winona State University Rochester Campus for 30 years until retiring in 2013. During her career at Winona State, Kathy was involved with many grants and research projects. This led to opportunities for her to present this research at International Nursing Conferences. At the end of her career, Kathy was a volunteer and founding board member for the not- for-profit Rochester Students’ Health Services with two school based free clinics at the Alternative Learning Center and Hawthorn Education Center.

Kathy and Jeff Orth were married nearly 43 years and were blessed with seven children. Kathy embraced and thoroughly enjoyed raising a large family. 4-H activities, baseball, softball, football, basketball, lacrosse and saddle club events were an important part of the Orth family life and Kathy led the way.

Family and friends were all important to Kathy. She was a wonderful cook and was able to prepare amazing daily suppers for the family. She enjoyed having family and friends over for holidays, family birthdays, the annual family lefse making tradition, or just for fun. Kathy also thoroughly enjoyed her deep and lasting relationships with her many Bunko friends and the monthly Bunko get together.

Kathy was proud of her Norwegian heritage and was able to make trips with the family to Norway, Europe, and the Holy Land. The annual vacation road trips by van with the large family toured many states and Canada. Recent travel with family and friends would often involve time in California, Arizona, Texas or Florida.

While her cancer journey took Kathy to the Mayo Clinic and both Saint Mary’s and Methodist hospitals, the visits would often lead to her pleasantly meeting nurses who had been one of her many students at Winona State University.

Kathy was grateful for the quality care and professionalism of the Mayo Oncology team, Saint Mary’s and Methodist hospitals, and the Mayo Hospice. Kathy was also so very grateful for the ongoing support of her beloved family and friends.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Jeff; children, Jeremy of Rochester, Minnesota, Katie of Oronoco, Minnesota, Jonathan (Amberleigh) of Nashville, Tennessee, James of Hastings, Kari of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Joshua of Apple Valley, Minnesota; two brothers, Greg (Diane) Larson of Austin, and Brad Larson of Northfield, Minnesota; and her sisters, Debbie (mark) Welken of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Vicki (Jeff) Goodew of Rochester, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Joel.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, at Bethel Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Burial will take place at Grandview Cemetery in Austin after the lunch.

To share a special memory please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh@yahoo.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW in Rochester, Minnesota. The family suggests memorials to the Bethel Lutheran Church or Rochester Students’ Health Services.