Kathy Jean Smith…

was born to Wilbur and Lois (Kamphenkel) Fruetel on March 25, 1948 in Long Prairie, Minnesota.  Her family included Gary (Nancy) of Burnsville, Carol (Don) Fisher of Big Lake, and Laurie (Mike) Hockemeyer of St. Cloud. 

Kathy attended school in Long Prairie where she was a cheerleader, played trombone in the school band, and participated in the girls athletics program.  She was a homecoming queen candidate and graduated in May 1966. 

She and James began dating following an evening of roller skating together January 24, 1961 at Dreamland Rollerskating Rink.  Kathy enrolled at St. Cloud State University in 1966, majoring in elementary education.  She and James were married December 29, 1967 at First Baptist Church in Long Prairie.  She graduated in June 1970 and gave birth to her first child, Jeffrey (Eagan), that September. 

The family was stationed in Pensacola, Florida by the Navy in 1971 before being transferred to Winter Harbor, Maine where they resided for three years.  Shannon (Fox River Grove, Illinois) was born in Ellsworth, Maine on Thanksgiving Day, 1972.  Timothy (North Branch) was born in April 1977 and Meagan (Minneapolis) in January 1979.  There are six grandchildren. 

Kathy served as the director of crafts at Camp Lebanon for six years, 1975-1980.  She also taught Sunday school and led mid-week children’s programs at churches in Maine, Colorado, and Minnesota.  Kathy attended First Baptist Church as a child and surrendered her life to Jesus Christ the summer of 1958 at Camp Lebanon, Upsala, Minnesota.  The following year she and James were baptized the same evening at First Baptist Church. 

Kathy’s great love was her family and finding ways to serve them through sewing, cooking, gardening, and hosting amazing Christmas gatherings.  

Kathy passed from this temporary life into eternal life with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 21, 2010.  She was surrounded by her family as they prayed, read scripture, and James sang “Amazing Grace” to her.