Kathleen Mary Kop

Kathleen Mary (Diethelm) Kop, 87 of Walker, MN passed away on January 27, 2026.

Katie was born on January 9, 1939, to George and Margaret (Jenkins) Diethelm. She graduated from Guardian Angels High School, Chaska MN in 1956.

Katie married the love of her life Richard (Dick) Joseph Kop at St. Victoria Catholic Church in Victoria, MN on October 12, 1957. They went on to have four girls, Michele, Denise, Cherrie and Shawn. Kathleen was a strong and confident guide who taught them how to be the women they are today through her unconditional love. She was fearless and faced all challenges in life head-on without complaint. She always looked for the goodness in people and believed all children were a gift from God to be cherished. She deeply loved her children and grandchildren.

Katie was an avid reader, not of light material but of substance and fact. She loved learning and teaching her family world history. As a consummate realist, she also taught her children and grandchildren so many of life’s lessons. She had a great passion for cooking, making Danish pastries, breads, croissants, food from all over the world and setting such beautiful dinner tables. She loved playing bridge and belonged to a bridge group for many years. Mother believed in community and was a member of the American Legion in Walker MN serving as Auxiliary President 2007-2008. She cared deeply for veterans and their service. She dearly loved her husband often saying, ‘I would follow him anywhere’ and she did as they traversed the entirety of North and South America, Europe, Africa and southeast Asia. Her passion for history served her well as she knew so much about each country they visited however, she often did additional research prior to a departure. While she loved to travel and always had wonderful stories of faraway places, she also said ‘if you don’t like America, travel’.

Katie was predeceased by her husband Dick and her parents George and Margaret Diethelm. She is survived by: her sister and brother-in-law Irene and Hilary Drees; her daughters Michele Kop, Denise Wolff (Dave), Cherrie Bargman (Paul), Shawn Halbert (Dan); grandchildren Scott (Greta) Anderson, Tyler Anderson, Dalton (Ali) Anderson, Jed (Briana) Fluhrer, Katie (Jim) Hollis; great-grandchildren Elin, Liam K., Aurlyn, Emersen, Meredith, Caroline, Karyn and Liam H.

Kathleens care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker MN, online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

Katie requested an intimate family gathering in lieu of formal services.

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