Kimberley Sue (Saunders) Costley

Kimberley "Kim" Sue (Saunders) Costley, 66 of Walker, MN died in the comfort of her home on the lake Monday, July 10th, 2023 with family by her side following a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Kim was born August 1st, 1956 to Walter "Bud" and Sue Saunders in Duluth MN.  She grew up in Silver Bay, MN and graduated from Silver Bay High School June 5th, 1974.  Kim attended St. Luke's School of Nursing in Duluth and graduated June 1977, where she then worked on 6W surgical floor.   Kim married the love of her life Kevin Costley, July 14th, 1979 and they moved to the twin cities where Kim worked in the Surgical ICU at Hennepin County Hospital.  October 29th, 1980 they welcomed their first child and later moved to Walker, MN where Kim worked at a local nursing home.  In March of 1982 Kim and Kevin moved to Sartell where they opened a dental practice and Kim worked in the ICU at St. Cloud Hospital until 1996.  March 13th, 1984 they welcomed their second child.  In 1986 Kim began assisting at the dental office, and eventually worked full time until her and Kevin's retirement in December 2013.   Kim and Kevin enjoyed wintering in Panama City Beach, Florida for a number of years, before discovering Buckeye, AZ where they have wintered for the last 6 years.  Kim liked to stay busy and enjoyed swimming, walking, kayaking and PICKLEBALL!!  Kim loved to have fun and enjoyed getting together with family and friends.  She would have new appetizers, snacks and drinks to try, but her staple and favorite to share was her blood orange martinis.  

Kim is survived by her husband of 44 years Kevin Costley; Children; Brittney (Russ) Kurhajetz of Esko, MN; Steven (Melissa) Costley of Maple Grove.  Grandchildren Kennedy Kurhajetz, Camden Kurhajetz, Gavin Kurhajetz, of Esko, MN and Addy Costley and Hailey Costley of Maple Grove, MN. Sister; Kelly (Brian) Tofte of Silver Bay.  Uncle Jim and Geri, cousins, nieces and nephews. Many pickleball friends from Walker, and Arizona, E-bike, drumming, and water aerobic friends throughout the US.  

Kim is preceded in death by her parents Bud and Sue Saunders,  Mother-in-law Winnifred Costley, Father- in-law James Costley, Grandparents Oliver and Myrtle Haskins and Chester and Eva Saunders, 

A memorial service will be held at Northern Peace Funeral home on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. with a visitation held two hours prior to the service and a light lunch following the service.  

Kim's family would like to thank friends and family for their support over the last 2 1/2 years.   A special thank you to Mary and Evan Oscarson, Park Rapids Hospice and to the AWESOME Walker Pickleball crew for their above and beyond kindness, love and support.

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

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