Kathryn “Katie” Elayne (Bleed) Shones, age 61, died Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Hospital-St Marys Campus.
Katie was born on October 2, 1964 to David and Merle (Melcher) Bleed in Minneapolis, MN. The family resided in Waconia, MN until 1973 when her parents purchased Windswept farm outside of Hammond, MN. She graduated from John Marshall High and RCTC in 1983. She attended and graduated from University of Wisconsin River Falls with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She worked at West Bend Company as an Environmental Engineer. She then returned home and ran the family farm for a few years. She then worked at Mayo Clinic as a unit secretary for 30 years. In 1999 she married Scott Edward Shones at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. They had two children and resided in Hammond, MN.
Katie was a lover of all things nature especially mushroom hunting and gardening. She enjoyed a good book, spending time with family and friends, her game shows on TV, playing Yahtzee, and cards.
Katie is survived by her daughter, Rebekah Shones (Carter Wendt) and son, Jerome Shones (Hannah Riley) both of Hammond, MN; mother, Merle Melcher of Hammond, MN; brothers, Timothy (Annette) Bleed and Andrew Bleed; sister, Laura (Mark) Gonnella; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Bleed; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Scott Shones; father, David Bleed; her dear brother, Jon Bleed; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leroy and Vera Shones; and two brothers-in-law, Randy Salgy and Terry Kopp.
A service is being planned.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Katie may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
Thinking of you all. Love you and will miss you Katie my deepest sympathy to the families.
Sending our sympathy, sorry for your loss.
Im very sorry for your loss Rebekah and Jerome Ive known your mom my whole life she used to babysit me when I was little. she was a kind, hard working lady she will be missed by all that loved her♡
Our deepest sympathy to all her family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss. Katie was a great friend and will be missed by all.
On behalf of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine at Mayo Clinic, I would like to send my deepest condolences to Katie’s family.
Katie was an essential part of our hospital community—someone whose kindness, professionalism, and steady presence supported both our staff and the patients we serve. She helped create an environment where people felt cared for and supported. We are grateful for the time we shared with her and for the many ways she strengthened the 6-Dom care team. We will greatly miss her.
Please know that our thoughts are with the family. We hope you find comfort in the memories you hold and in the knowledge that her impact will continue to be felt by all who had the privilege of working alongside her.
Saddened to know of Katie’s passing. She was an intelligent and kind friend. Blessings to her kids. REBEKAH AND JEROME, Sister. Laura, and Mother. Merle. And extended family, respectively.
Angie Johnson,-M.
Rebekah and Jerome, Merle and the family. Thinking of you and prayers
March 3, 2026
I worked with Katie for years on Dom 6-D. She was a dear wonderful woman who adored her family and was a lover of nature.We shared plants from each of our gardens.I will hold her in my memory.Bless you all!
Katie and I were friends since the 7th grade. She was a great friend and will be missed.
My condolences go out to Katies family.