Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend age 61, of Forest Lake passed from this temporary life into eternal life with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, on March 21, 2010. Born in Long Prairie, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Lois (Kamphenkel) and Wilbur Fruetel, both of whom preceded her in death. Kathy devoted herself to her four children and six grandchildren, focusing on her role as a homemaker who treasured time with her family, especially at Christmas. She also served with her husband in various Christian education ministries in churches and Bible camps in Minnesota, Maine, and Colorado. Kathy was a member of Grace Evangelical Free Church in Wyoming, Minnesota for thirteen years. There are no words adequate to fully describe the love and compassion she demonstrated to her family. Kathy embodied the very heart and soul of her family.
To live on in the hearts of loved ones is not to die. She is survived by her husband James whom she met when they were just thirteen years old and married December 29, 1967 while they were both undergrads at St. Cloud State University. She is also survived by their children, Jeffrey (Abby) Smith, Shannon (Paul) Felleson, Timothy (Michelle) Smith, Meagan; siblings, Gary (Nancy) Fruetel, Carol (Don) Fisher, Laurie (Mike) Hockemeyer. A Celebration of Kathy’s Life will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Crossroads Covenant Church, 17445 Notre Dame Street, Forest Lake. Visitation 6-9 PM Friday at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 N. Shore Drive, Forest Lake and will continue one hour before the service at the church. Private interment at Oakland Cemetery in Marine on St. Croix.