Kathi Tharaldson

Kathi Tharaldson, age 83, of St. Paul, MN, formerly of Graceville, MN, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Episcopal Church Homes of Minnesota in St. Paul.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Graceville and will close with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Pastor Jim Rach will officiate. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at East Zion Cemetery near Starbuck, MN.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Kathi Tharaldson was born on May 28, 1942, in Park Rapids, Minnesota, to Roy and DeMaris (Clark) Melin. Kathi Ellen was the youngest of three daughters. Kathi arrived in this world with two teeth, an uncanny talent of perfect pitch, and a gift for seeing and tending to those in need, often the four-legged sort. Her family lived in Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Southern California before settling in Menahga, Minnesota where she completed junior high and graduated from Menahga High School.

Kathi began playing organ and piano in church as early as elementary school and continued to serve congregations through music for the rest of her life. Kathi attended Whittier College in California and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bemidji State University. She taught music, physical education, psychology, and science in schools across the United States before joining Healy High School in Pierz, Minnesota as choir director and physical education teacher. After marrying Ernie Tharaldson in August 1968, she devoted nearly two decades to raising their four children. In 1988, she completed a Master’s Degree in Education Administration at St. Cloud State University. Kathi then served as high school principal for the Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley School District in Graceville, Minnesota.

A lifelong advocate for music and education, Kathi inspired generations of students. She organized community performances, directed choirs, Sunday School programs, coached and accompanied soloists, directed musicals, and mentored kids of all ages. Kathi shared her gifts without hesitation, nurturing others—sometimes long before they recognized it themselves. She always saw the best in everyone no matter the situation.

Kathi is survived by her children: Peter Tharaldson and Amy Schult of Spooner, WI; Rana Tharaldson of Center City, MN; Ingrid and Bryan Schmitt of St. Paul, MN; and Brevik and Billie Tharaldson of Watertown, MN. Grandchildren: Lars, Inga, and Ilsa Heinecke; August and Casper Tharaldson; Adrik and Erna Tharaldson Schult. A host of nieces; nephews; brothers- and sisters-in-law; and friends through whom her legacy lives on.

Kathi is preceded in death by her husband, Ernie; parents: Roy and DeMaris Melin; sisters: Roberta and Patty; many beloved in-laws; nieces; nephews; dear friends; former students and treasured furry friends.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page. Our mission is to deliver the highest quality shared video experience for visitors to our website. However, there may be instances when network issues arise, causing the livestream to be unavailable. In such cases, we are promptly alerted and work to resolve the problem. If we are unable to restore the livestream, a recorded version of the service will be made available for viewing at any time on our website.