In Loving Memory

Katherine Mary Olsem

Katherine Olsem, the daughter of Gerrit and Evelyn (Buwalda) Cuperus, was born on December 19, 1924 near Lakefield, MN. She moved with her family to a farm east of Dundee, MN when she was young.  She attended school in Okabena, MN and also country school. She graduated the Fulda High School in 1942.  Katherine was united in marriage to Martin Olsem on February 27, 1946 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dundee. After their marriage they lived on a farm on the shore of Oaks Lake north of Dundee.  In 1989 they moved to a farm east of the family farm.  Katherine remained at their home on the farm after Martin passed away in February of 1996.  She entered the Good Samaritan Center in Westbrook, MN in May of 2009 and passed away there on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at the age of 87.  She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Westbrook, MN. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, cooking, canning, gardening, raising her chickens and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her ten children, Nick Olsem of Dundee, MN, Joe (Carolyn) Olsem of Heron Lake, MN, Mary (Larry) Reith of Fulda, MN, Leo (Joan) Olsem of Dundee, MN, Edward (Laurie) Olsem of Dundee, MN, George (Carla) Olsem of Dundee, MN, Tom (Kathy) Olsem of Dundee, MN, Robert (Peg) Olsem of Westbrook, MN, Elizabeth (Dean) Johnson of Storden, MN and Richard (Heather) Olsem of Windom, MN; 29 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Burend Cuperus of Reading, MN, John Cuperus of Fulda, MN and Bill (Joyce) Cuperus of Fulda, MN; sister, Annie Ebbinga of Fountain Hills, AZ and sister-in-law, Lois Cuperus of Fulda, MN.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, John Olsem, brother, Gerbin Cuperus and an infant daughter.

Funeral Services

St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church Fulda, MN at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 29, 2012 with the Fr. Andrew Olsem and Fr. Andrew Vogel concelebrating. The organist is Carolyn Kirchner.  The song leader is Sheila Crowley.  The pallbearers are Nathan Olsem, Mike Olsem, Ryan Olsem, Travis Olsem, Ben Olsem, Christopher Olsem, Alex Olsem, Jacob Johnson and Jason Olsem. Interment at Westbrook City Cemetery Westbrook, MN.

Visitation will be at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda, MN on Thursday from 4 to 7 PM with a 5 PM rosary and a 7 PM prayer service and visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.  The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements.