Kathy E. Villnow

Obituary

Katherine “Kathy” Eileen Villnow was born on August 11, 1942, in Dayton, Ohio.  She was the daughter of Phyllis Doughty Woods Newhouse.  Kathy was confirmed in her faith as a youth on September 30, 1951, at Faith United Methodist Church in Ladysmith. WI. and was later baptized on April 11, 1957, at the Church of Christ in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. She attended school in Ladysmith, graduating with the Ladysmith High School Class of 1960. She attended Willmar Community College in Willmar, Minnesota where she studied Psychology, she also attended Mankato Vo-Tech in Mankato, Minnesota to study Nursing.

Kathy’s life was blessed with five children, Richard, Vincent, Pamela, Sheila, and Phyllis. Kathy was united in marriage to Clyde Graupmann on February 27, 1979. They shared three years of marriage until Clyde’s passing in 1982. On April 17, 2010, Kathy was united in marriage to Robert Villnow at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Plato, Minnesota. Kathy and Robert made their home in Glencoe and shared 12 years of marriage.

Kathy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and volunteer.  She worked for the Ladysmith Telephone Company in Wisconsin and later moved to Minnesota. Kathy worked at the Glenhaven Nursing Home, Glencoe Regional Hospital, and Glencoe Green Giant facility in the Canteen.  She worked at the Glencoe Liquor Store, opened Kathy’s Kwik Cover, her own upholstery business, and was a Licensed Adult Foster Caretaker.  She provided home health care services in McLeod County, worked at the Glencoe Snyder Drug, and was also a local Avon sales representative.  Kathy was a member and treasurer for the Glencoe Police Reserve Officers and the Dry Riders Motorcycle Club.  She was a treasurer for an Al-Anon Group and was involved with Glen Care Givers, an infant car seat project.  She volunteered with the Boy and Girl Scouts.  She was an active member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Plato.

Kathy enjoyed collecting antiques, reading, quilting, and gardening. She also enjoyed caring for her plants, riding motorcycle, and working on arts and crafts. Kathy treasured conversations with friends and was always one to offer a fresh cup of coffee.

In her own words, Kathy was a survivor of many decisive and crucial times. She had faith in the Lord and the hard times made her a stronger person. She was thankful for the little things and didn’t take anything for granted; she lived her life to the fullest. Kathy passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, Minnesota, at the age of 80.

Blessed be her memory.

Kathy is survived by her:
Husband, Robert Villnow of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Richard “Rick” Liestman and his significant other, LoriKay Powell-Hagg, of Glencoe, MN,
                Pamela Reimer and her husband, Douglas, of Prior Lake, MN,
                Sheila Quast and her husband, David, of Dassel, MN,
                Phyllis “Fizzle” and Nick Stoiaken of Mound, MN;
Grandchildren, Joshua Liestman and his wife, Patricia, Ashley Hill, Sarah Lybarger and her husband, Jason, Blake Reimer, and his fiancé, Megan Dressler, Eric Quast and his wife, Elise, Alexandra Stoiaken;
Great-Grandchildren, Calvin, Johnny, Aiden, Aryanna, Elijah, Claire, Isaac, Nora, and Michaela;
Robert’s Children, Paul Villnow, Ruth Rafferty, Nancy Codney, and her husband, Jim;
Other relatives and many friends.

Kathy was preceded in death by her Husband, Clyde Graupmann; Son, Vincent Liestman; Mother, Phyllis Doughty Woods Newhouse; Grandmother, Dessie Doughty; Aunts, Uncles, other relatives, and friends.