Kathryn Kay Underland

Kathryn Kay “Kathy” (Otteson) Underland of Owatonna passed away at her home in Blooming Prairie. A memorial service will be held at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 2PM with visitation to be held for an hour prior. Burial will be held at St. Ansgers Cemetery. Reverend Randy Cirksena will be officiating.

Kathy was born on September 22, 1943 in the Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea to Clarence and Bernice (Hanson) Otteson.

When she was 2 years old she moved from Clarks grove to a farm west of Ellendale with her parents and siblings; Phyllis, Eugene, Margery, Ruth, James, and June. She attended Ellendale School and graduated in 1961.

Kathy moved off the farm and into Ellendale with her parents and younger sibling Merly, Eileen, and Elizabeth when she was 16.

On March 2nd 1965, Paul and Kathy were married in Santa Maria, CA. After they were married, they lived in California and Hawaii. They then moved to Seattle, WA in 1967, then to Fridley, MN in 1968. When they lived in Fridley she worked at K-Mart until moving to Owatonna in 1972. She then worked at E. F. Johnson in Waseca for five years and then Federated Insurance for 20 years, retiring in 1999. After retiring, Paul and Kathy moved to Sun City Grand AZ where she worked for H&R Block. They lived there for four years before moving back to Minnesota. She went to work at the Wal-Mart in Albert Lea and when she moved to Owatonna she worked at the Wal-Mart there before retiring permanently.

The biggest thrills in her life was meeting Roy Rogers at his museum in California, and Roy “Dusty” Rogers Jr. at the Museum in Branson, MO. She has met other celebrities as well as Branson and Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle) on one of her Hawaiian cruises.

Kathy loved being with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved to travel and went on many cruises, vacations, and to her time-share in Disney World with Paul and her children and their families. She has been in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and both sides of the Caribbean. It was so interesting to go to all the different places and see the country.

She loved watching the Nascar races and attended a race in Phoenix. She rode in a race car at the Richard Petty racetrack at Disney World.

Kathy was a member of the Methodist Church in Ellendale, shere she taught Sunday school and had been a member of the Church choir.

She loved to paint china and taught china painting at the Senior Center and was involved in many other things at the Center. She loved quilting and she has made many quilts for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memories are her husband Paul of 61 years and her children: Kelly (David) Wacek of Owatonna and David Underland of Sioux Falls, SD; five grandchildren: Allen (Amanda) Wacek, Adam Wacek, Amanda Wacek, all from Blooming Prairie, and Abby Underland and Kyann Havlovic of Sioux Falls, SD; nine great grandchildren: Caleb, Lilly, and Kloe Wacek, Sophia Friest, Isaac Wacek, Chase Boehme Ryder, and Camille Haroldson, all from Blooming Prairie, and Andrew Godtland of Albert Lea; sisters: Phyllis Anderson, Margery Wobschall, Ruth Sather, Eileen Bergland, and Elizabeth (Rick) Wangsness; brother Merlyn (Gail) Ottesen; in-law Carol Roberts; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents: Clarence and Bernice Otteson; in-laws Elmer, Alice, Gary, Barbara, and Darlene Underland; brothers Eugene and James Underland; sister June Lageson; brothers-in-law Egel Anderson, Wallace Wobschall, Keith Sather, Lyle Lageson, Mike Bergland, Aldeen and Ingrid Underland, Richard Underland, and LaVerne Roberts; and sister-in-law Betty Ottesen.