Kathryn Aarseth

Kathryn Aarseth passed away peacefully in her sleep May 2, 2023.

Kathryn was born on June 6, 1933 at her grandparents’, Christ and Gurina Clauson, farm South of the Sheyenne River Valley in Griggs County, North Dakota.  She grew up on her parents’, Melvin and Lillian Nesheim, farm in Nesheim township near McVille, ND. With her on the farm was her brother Ronald and sister Marlys.  The three had very fond and vivid memories of life on the farm: wood stove baking, hand washing clothes, the thrill of finally getting indoor plumbing, threshing teams at harvest, and using the farm’s tractor or horse to visit friends.  The three siblings were as close as brother and sisters could be and now are together again.

As much as Kathryn had fond memories of where she grew up, like her brother and sister, she wanted to see what was beyond McVille. She worked hard in high school and graduated class valedictorian.  She saw teaching as her opportunity to live life beyond the farm.  She attended Valley City State Teacher’s College and received her one-year teaching certificate allowing her to teach in rural schools.  She got a job teaching in Field Township, Nelson County for one year.  She saved enough money to return to Valley City College and obtained her two-year standard teaching certificate allowing her to teach elementary grades.  She then taught in Wheatland, ND for three years, and Browns Valley, MN for three years.

She then moved to Glencoe, MN with her husband Melvin and two young children Lisa and Eric.  In Glencoe she started her career as a special education teacher.  It was then she decided to return to college to obtain her bachelor’s degree in special education.   While teaching full-time and raising two children, she also traveled one day a week to Mankato State University.  There she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education graduating summa cum laude.  She continued her educational pursuits and earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from St. Cloud State University graduating summa cum laude.  She was a well-respected teacher and co-worker.

In her “spare” time in Glencoe she enjoyed her weekly bridge games with friends and sewing.

She married Melvin Rodney Aarseth on April 11, 1953.  They enjoyed 70 years of marriage and many, many adventures together.  Camping and canoeing in the Boundary Water Canoe Area, RV’ing across the United States, living in Minnesota, California and Alaska.

She and Melvin raised a daughter, Lisa Beth (Aarseth) Kruchowski.  Lisa is married to Jim Kruchowski and has two children, Nick (wife Katie) and Christina.  They also raised a son, Eric Alan Aarseth.   Eric is married to Stephane Simon Aarseth and has two children, Edward and Samuel.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her sister, brother and a dear niece, Connie Nesheim.  She adored her niece and nephews.  Her nephews Steven, Brad, Scott and Eric Nesheim live in Southeast United States.  They grew up in Gastonia, NC which was one of Kathryn’s favorite states to visit.

A memorial service will be held at the Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00am with visitation one hour prior to service.

Her husband and children extend their heartfelt thanks to the Mayo Hospice team.  They afforded Kathryn grace, dignity and peace in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, Melvin requests that people wanting to remember Kathryn consider a donation in her name either to the Zumbro Lutheran Church or the Mayo Hospice Program.

Rochester Cremation Services is honored to serve the family. Memories and condolences of Kathryn may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com