Kathleen Mary Tharp

KATHLEEN MARY THARP, age 90, passed away on the evening of Thursday, September 1, 2022 at Birchwood Cottages Memory Care Community in North Mankato.

Kathleen was born September 25, 1931 to Robert and Frieda (Schimek) Ulmen of Mankato. The oldest of four daughters, she relished her role as “big” sister. She grew up on the family farm on land that adjoined the Minneopa Falls area. She had a special passion for this area throughout her lifetime and loved to share stories with family and friends of life on the farm. She was active in 4-H in her youth and enjoyed helping her father on the farm, often times gathering eggs and tending to the farm animals. Following in her dad’s footsteps, Kathleen loved to garden; she was especially proud of her award-winning African violets. Kathleen lived in the Mankato, Rochester, Phoenix, Longville, St. Clair and Janesville areas over the years. One of her first jobs was for Nordaas in Minnesota Lake. She also worked for Norwest Bank in Rochester and for the City of Rochester for several years. In the 1990s, she owned and operated Frosty’s Ice Cream shop in Longville and spent countless hours making fresh pizzas. She was a fan of the weekly turtle races held in front of the shop.

Kathleen was a proud member of the Class of 1949 of Good Counsel Academy; she maintained

friendships with several classmates throughout her lifetime. She also played organ for many years at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Longville. She knitted and donated dozens of teddy bears to the School Sisters of Notre Dame Mother Bear project. Over her lifetime, she knitted and crocheted countless doilies, afghans, sweaters and scarves. In the mid-2000s, she was known as “Grandma T” to the children at St. Clair Elementary where she volunteered as a Foster Grandparent. She volunteered in several capacities over the years for the Council of Catholic Women. Kathleen was proud of her strong Catholic faith. She was ordained as a Secular Franciscan in 2012.

Kathleen is survived by her children – Cheryl (Todd) of Rochester, MN, Sharon of Dallas, OR, Dennis of Springfield, MO, and Dan (Joleen) of Walker, MN; grandchildren – Kaytlin, Erik (Emily), Daniel (Ashley) and Brandon; great grandchildren – Lucas, Noah, Amelia and Benson; sisters Jeanette (Charles) Kruse of Mankato, and Linda (Ed) Schweiss of Springfield, MN. She is also survived by a special niece and her family, Diann (Bill) Ward of Mankato in addition to several cousins, nieces, nephews and a large group of friends. She was proceeded in death by her parents, sister, Dorothy Cain and brother-in-law, Raymond Cain.

God’s blessings to the truly compassionate and attentive staff at Birchwood Cottages Memory Care Community in North Mankato. Your care, friendship and support was exceptional. Also, thank you to St. Croix Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 9 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Janesville with Father Brian Mulligan officiating. Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. at the church with a Rosary service to begin at 9:45 a.m. preceding Mass.