Kathleen Stotesbery

Kathleen Stotesbery, age 90, of Graceville, MN, died Thursday, March 24, 2016, at Grace Home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville with Father David Breu officiating. Deb Farwell will be organist and Chris Weick, Deb Stueve, Jean Costello, and Sandy Bauer will provide special music.

Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday, March 29, from 5 – 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7.

Casket bearers will be Bill Kleindl, Alan Kleindl, Tom Schuster, Steve O'Connor, James Stotesbery, and Randy Stotesbery. Honorary bearers will be Kathleen's grandchildren. Burial will be in the Graceville Consolidated Cemetery.

Kathleen Ann Stotesbery was born on December 24, 1925, in Graceville, Minnesota, the youngest child of William and Gertrude (Schutz) O'Connor. She completed her education in Graceville and graduated with the class of 1942. On January 8, 1947, Kathleen was united in marriage to Raymond Billiet. They were blessed with two children and made their home in Graceville. Raymond died in 1976. On September 22, 1979, Kathleen married Howard Stotesbery.

Kathleen worked a variety of jobs in her earlier years – telephone operator, movie theater worker, postal clerk, and elementary school secretary - but her career was her job as the secretary for the Graceville High School, a job she enjoyed for 24 years.

A lifelong member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Kathleen was active in CCW, the Rosary Society, and serving as a Eucharistic minister. Music played an important part in Kathleen's life and she was a piano teacher for many local youth. She was also a member of TOPS. Kathleen was a homemaker and loved providing for her family. She was known for her wonderful sense of humor. In her free time she enjoyed playing piano, walking, reading, and knitting. An avid golfer, Kathleen spent many hours volunteering at the golf course.

Left to cherish Kathleen's memory is her husband, Howard, of Graceville, MN; daughter, Barb Billiet of Graceville, MN; son, Larry (Karen) Billiet, of Graceville, MN and their children: Michael (Cassie) Billiet and their sons, Jack and Hank, of Maple Grove, MN; and Alisha (Steve) Podobinski and their son, Burke, of Brooklyn Park, MN; step-children: Steve (Deb) Stotesbery of Graceville, MN; Dave (Bonnie) Stotesbery of Clinton, MN; Phil (Cindy) Stotesbery of Pelican Rapids, MN; Bernie (Karla)Stotesbery of Alexandria, MN; Tom (Deb) Stotesbery of Redwood Falls, MN; Jim (Pam) Stotesbery of Graceville, MN: and Joanne (John) Nerenz of Wheaton, MN; 21 step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Rita (Dean) Schuster of Chokio, MN; brother-in-law Tony (Clarice) Billiet of Shoreview, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Raymond Billiet; three brothers: Leonard, Wayne, and Rod; and sister, Eileen.