Katharine Joann (Schmidt) Walker

Katharine JoAnn (Schmidt) Walker of St. Michael, MN, formerly of Clark, died peacefully at home with her family by her side on Sunday, September 4, 2022, after a short battle with cancer.

Kathy, the daughter of Dialo and Margaret Schmidt, was born on December 27, 1963, in DeSmet, SD. In 1976 the family moved to Clark, and Kathy graduated from Clark High School

in 1982.

Kathy then earned her nursing diploma at a technical school in Rapid City, SD. During this time, Kathy met her future husband, Dennis Walker, who was serving his enlistment at Ellsworth Airforce Base. The couple were married at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clark on August 18, 1984. To this union, two daughters and a son were born.

Kathy worked as an LPN in Minnesota and most recently was employed by Minnesota Oncology. When she was not caring for her patients, Kathy's greatest joy was her granddaughter,

Ayda, whom she affectionately called, "Poops." Kathy treasured her time with her family. She was her children's biggest supporter, faithfully attending their sporting events as they grew up, and cheering them on throughout their lives. Kathy loved 80s music and the Vikings. Even in her passing, Kathy will continue to give back to the medical and scientific communities, having donated her body to the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Kathy will long be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and nurse. She was a true light to everyone around her. Her dimpled smile and infectious laugh will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Grateful for having shared her life is her husband, Dennis; daughters, Danielle Walker, and Allison (Jake) Kenmir; son, Brandon (Kalley) Walker; and granddaughter, Ayda Kenmir.  Also surviving is her father, Dialo (Gerry) Schmidt; mother-in-law, Sandra Walker, brother, Randy (Patsy) Schmidt; sisters, Vickie Holmes and Kelly (Jay) Blair, brothers-in-law, Mike (Sally) Walker, and Doug Walker, sister-in-law, Heidi (Mark) Patterson, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding her in death is her mother, Margaret Schmidt and father-in-law, Edward Walker. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2023.  In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family

requests donations be made in Kathy's memory to the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance at 4604 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Condolences can be mailed in care of Allison

Kenmir, 104 Homestead Circle, Buffalo, MN 55313.

The Furness Funeral Home of Clark is assisting the family in hosting an on-line guestbook for condolences at www.furnessfuneralhome.com