Kathryn Hess

Kathryn Ellen (Olsen) Hess was born on June 28, 1947 to Elmer and Lorraine (Reich) Olsen in Pipestone, Minnesota. She grew up in the Pipestone suburb of Holland, Minnesota and attended school in Pipestone. She graduated from Pipestone High School in 1965. It was during these school years that she discovered the love of her life Richard at the County Fair. The ensuing love affair stories are too many to fit in the margins of this life history, but for anyone that knew them, it was a match made in heaven. On September 2, 1967, she was united in marriage to Rich at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they resided in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where they started building and raising their family. In 1977, they moved to Yankton, South Dakota. And if anyone doubts God intervening and life’s ability to go full circle, consider the fact that Kathy and Rich’s next career opportunity took them right back to where they started, moving back to their hometown of Pipestone in 1985, where they both lived until their passing. Rich preceded her in death on September 15, 2024, with Kathy by his side and reversing roles to be his caretaker at the end. Shortly afterward, Kathy entered the Pipestone County Hospice House in early January of this year, and passed away on January 13, 2025, at the age of 77. She is now jumping, dancing, and bowling her way through her days in heaven reunited with her beloved husband.

In 1974, Kathy had a life-changing moment when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. As anyone knows who was lucky enough to know Kathy, she didn’t run from this or let it define her- she tackled it head on, embraced it, and in a way, it made her so much stronger in her faith and in her relationships. She had such an incredible outlook on life and ended up being a friend and an inspiration to so many. The sheer fact that she stayed out of a wheelchair for more years than she was in one, and proceeded to live 50 active, glorious years after her diagnosis, really says everything about Kathy you need to know. She was an incredibly strong woman but did so in a gentle, kind way that made everyone around her feel stronger with anything they happened to be going through in their own lives. Her favorite sayings were “Thanks for being” and “What’s the worst that could happen”. Her witty banter provided for hours of entertainment. Kathy was an active member of Christ the King Free Lutheran Church in Pipestone.

Growing up, Kathy was involved in glee club/chorus, pep club, and theater, enjoying her role in Oklahoma!. She also loved babysitting her nieces. Rumor had it Kathy “may” have been known to sneak out of school or home, coming up with new covers in order to play cards with friends, and ultimately, date Rich. This has never been confirmed, yet not denied by Kathy. In her early years, she enjoyed bowling, playing guitar, and painting. She loved playing cards, listening to music, and going out to eat with friends. After retirement, Rich and Kathy discovered that snowbirding in Arizona during winters was a much warmer experience and developed lasting friendships there for 9 years. 

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Jason (Pam) Hess of Marshall, Minnesota; Lori (Scott) Wiese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Michelle Steineke of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; six grandchildren, Britani Wiese, Gabrielle Hess, Jacob (Madilyn) Hess, Charles Wiese, Kyle (Morgan) Steineke and Katelyn Steineke; one great-grandchild, Bregan Steineke. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents, Elmer and Lorraine; her sister, Sharon; her two brothers, Phil and Mike; and two nephews, John and Joe. 

Memorials are preferred to the Pipestone County Hospice House or Christ the King Free Lutheran Church.