Katharina Ursula Mellem, age 83, died Sunday, February 14, 2021 at Cottagewood Senior Communities Memory Care in Rochester.
Katharina was born on May 19, 1937 in Potsdam, Germany to Curt and Elfrieda (Lehmann) Geiger. She married Harold Mellem Jr on June 12, 1959 in Heidelberg, Germany. They made their home in Rochester in 1962 and had 3 children, Carla, Annette and Eric. Katharina was very proud to become a US citizen in October of 1967. After Eric started school, she herself went back to school to update her Dental Assistant licensure.
Katharina could knit with her eyes closed and loved to travel before Dementia took her away from us. She loved working with Dr. Mensing and team and later volunteered at the Good Samaritan Clinic. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and The Sons of Norway.
Katharina is survived by her husband of 61 years, Harold; children, Carla (Joel) DesLauriers of Rochester, MN, Annette (Jack) Pudwill of Dodge Center, MN, and Eric (Nikita) Mellem of Castle Rock, CO; 8 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter.
Katharina is preceded in death by her parents; and a great-grandson.
The family would like to thank Cottagewood Memory Care, The Haven Staff and Seasons Hospice for all of their wonderful care and compassion.
Katharina requested to be cremated and to have a memorial celebration of life which will be held at a later date.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Katharina may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
The Herman Yates family sends your family our condolences for the death of your Mom Kathy. We saw them at River Bend a few years ago and we didn’t realize at the time that your Mom also had dementia. Our sympathy. Blessings
Just a note to say sorry about the loss of your Mom. I saw your Mom’s obituary in the Post Bulletin and realized that your Mom was in a room across from my Mom at Cottage Wood. My Mom was only at Cottage Wood a short time from January 2020 to March 22 2020 when she died. My Mom had a stroke and also some dementia and we often would visit with your Mom when we were there. My Mom enjoyed your Mom so much.Just wanted to send my sympathy. Take care and stay safe.