Kathryn "Kathy" Bartz

Kathryn "Kathy" Bartz, 77, Browns Valley, MN, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Sanford Broadway Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Funeral Mass will be Monday, January 18, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley with Father Gregg Frankman officiating. Music will be provided by organist Carmen Hills.

The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Eggers Funeral Home Facebook page.

Burial will be in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Beardsley, MN.  Pallbearers will be Kathy's grandchildren, Morgan, Levi and Connor Bartz, and Brooke, Olivia and Madison Strand.

Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley.

Kathryn "Kathy" Marie Bartz was born July 21, 1943, in Graceville, MN, to Leo and Marjorie (Welch) Whelan.  During her childhood years, the family moved several times living in Graceville, Barry, Beardsley, and New Effington, SD.  They also lived at "Thorps Ranch" near Britton, SD, at "Bensons" north of Browns Valley, then south of Browns Valley.  After Kathy's father died when she was 13 years old, on Big Stone Lake, the family made their final move into Browns Valley.  After graduating from Browns Valley High School in 1962, Kathy and her sister Karen worked for Campbell Soup in Worthington, MN.

On July 2, 1966, Kathy married Duane Bartz.  This union brought four blessings, Brenda, Rebecca, Bradley and Bruce.

Kathy was employed for many years at Lynch's Processing Plant doing pig heads on the kill floor, cutting meat on the floor, and managing the smoker which created great Canadian bacon.  Kathy worked for Rodey Ewald where she would split bullheads and fleece carp.  She also ran K & D Carpet Cleaners and painted for many years with Diane Duffield.  After Diane's death, she continued on her own.  Kathy got into the rental business in about 1985 when she felt the community was in need of housing. She continued with that until her death.

Kathy was very active within her community.  She worked on the Browns Valley Ambulance Service for many years, even when there were only four EMT's running the service 24/7.  She also served on the Browns Valley City Council.

Kathy was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church where she served as a guild member, Christian Mothers, Daughters of Isabella, and a member of St. Anthony of Padua Franciscans to further develop her relations with her Lord.  Kathy also participated with Koinonia with St. Peters in Sisseton, SD.  This allowed her to travel to the Bahamas to share her faith.

A six-week wagon train to Michigan with good friends, Pat and Jean O'Neill, was another highlight of her life. Kathy visited many places, managing to travel to Alaska, the Holy Lands and Ireland. Always up for an adventure, she enjoyed several bus tours, cruises and a train ride.

Kathy was given a second chance at life in October 2001 when she had an emergency liver transplant.  After that Kathy moved outside the city limits to what would become Riverside Lodge where she rented out the upstairs to those in need.  The hobby farm also became a children's playground for the young and old with all sorts of animals that brought joy to everyone that came to visit or would drive by and stop to check out the animals.  The animals gave her grandchildren a strong interest in animals.

Kathy is survived by her four children, Brenda Bartz of Browns Valley, Rebecca Strand of Alexandria, Bradley (Tina) Bartz of Sisseton, and Bruce (Stacey) Bartz of Wheaton; six grandchildren, Morgan, Levi, Brooke, Madison, Connor, and Olivia; a brother, Robert Whelan of Zephyrhills, FL; a sister, Karen Peterson of Sauk Centre, MN; and sisters-in-law, Sandra Whelan of PA, and Pearl Whelan of Lakeville, MN.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Marjorie; and brothers, Richard and Dennis.

The lives that Kathy touched can't be measured as she gave from her heart.  The coffee pot was always on, a chair at the table and an ear to listen.  She has left a tremendous hole for many.