Kathleen “Kathy” Virginia Abbey, 89, of Rochester, Minnesota died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on November 7, 2019. She was born on July 13, 1930 to John and Ellen (Kelly) Niemann. Kathy spent her life living in Rochester, Minnesota with her family and attending Rochester Central School. She married Merlyn DeBlonde Lee on November 10, 1953 and had one daughter, Debra. Merlyn passed away in a drowning accident on August 9, 1955. Kathy then married Clifford A. Abbey on September 30, 1958 and had one daughter, Colleen. They later divorced after 22 years of marriage, but remained friends. Kathy worked in housekeeping at the Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home for many years and later retired. She enjoyed spending her free time with her grandchildren and spending time around family.
Kathy is survived by her two daughters, Debra Christensen, of Rochester, and Colleen Quirin of Rochester; her sister, Barbara Foss of Pine Island; 5 grandchildren, Michael Christensen, Nichole Haigh, Anissa (Tim) Maasch, Maggie (Patrick) Denton and Jordan (Kate) Rocca; and 6 great-grandchildren, Hayden, Hutton, Tyler, Allie, Olivia and Luke.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Ellen Niemann; first husband, Merlyn Lee; second husband, Clifford Abbey; sisters, Evelyn Streiff, Beverly Zincke, Helen Nelson; and son-in-law, Terrence Quirin.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, 2003 Co Hwy 20, Rochester, MN 55904 on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the mass.
Burial will be at St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Simpson, Minnesota.
Rochester Cremation Services is handling arrangements.
