Katherine (Kathy) Emily Yliniemi

Katherine (Kathy) Emily Yliniemi, age 58, a Park Rapids resident, passed into eternal life on March 18, 2022, with her loving husband, Sam, and her daughters by her side at her home in rural Park Rapids, Minnesota. Kathy fought a valiant, courageous battle against gallbladder cancer. Kathy was born on September 3, 1963, in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Her parents were the late Benjamin and Ann (Dickinson) Kimball. Kathy attended elementary school in Detroit Lakes and graduated from high school in Park Rapids with the class of 1981. After high school, she attended college at Detroit Lakes Vocational & Technical College, as well as Moorhead State University where she obtained an administrative assistant degree. On June 26, 1982, Kathy was united in marriage with Samuel George Yliniemi at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Two Inlets. Their marriage was blessed with 3 children: Lisa, Nicole, and Amy. The couple first lived in Ponsford MN, on the north side of George and Grace Yliniemi’s family farm. In 1995, Kathy, Sam, and their young family built a home northeast of Osage, MN. Kathy’s first job was at Helminick’s Restaurant on Main Street as a waitress, next she waitressed at Doc’s in Osage. She worked at Sunset Nursing Home on the evening shift. Kathy worked at J&B Foods off and on but went back after Nicole was born so she could work during the day and be with her family in the evening. Kathy worked at Lorelei Studios, south of Osage. Then in 1991, Kathy began her long career at District #309, working as a paraprofessional, high school activities secretary, and finally finding her niche at the elementary office. She loved to do various activities including gardening, crocheting, quilting, sewing, cheering for sporting activities especially those of her grandkids, relaxing on the pontoon, and having bonfires with family and friends. Kathy spent many years working with the children of the Park Rapids community through her role in the elementary office, it was her sole mission to ensure that no child was left behind at Century Elementary school, the kids were the light of her work. Kathy is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Sam Yliniemi of Park Rapids; daughters: Lisa (Greg) Ackerman of Park Rapids; Nicole (Tyler) Safratowich of Waconia; Amy (Logan) Haskins of Norwood; 9 grandchildren: Cooper, Owen, Ayla, Indie, Kate, Anna, Duncan, Gunnar, and Hutton; brothers; Jerry Kimball of Park Rapids; Terry (Laurie) Kimball of Osage; Ben (Charlie) Kimball of Osage; Kelly (Shelly) Kimball of Park Rapids; half-siblings: Gloria Bestland of Illinois; Jeanette (Jim) Petersen of Nevis; Susie (Marvin) Brown of Nevis; Debbie (Wes) Conklin of Park Rapids; Pam Brugman of Park Rapids; including many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Ann Kimball; her parents-in-law, George and Grace Yliniemi; her half-siblings, Darlene Tyge, Jackie Kimball, Bradley Kimball, Larry Kimball, Carol Sandberg, Kerry Brugman, grandson, Baby Ben, and nephew, Delmar Yliniemi. Visitation for Kathy Yliniemi will be held Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022, at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Rosary service will be at 6 p.m. with Deacon John Zinnel leading. Catholic Funeral Mass will be held for Kathy Yliniemi on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids with Fr. Thomas Friedl officiating and Deacon John Zinnel assisting. The pallbearers will be Terry Kimball, Ben Kimball, Kelly Kimball, Tom Yliniemi, Tim Yliniemi, and Chuck Eischens. The honorary pallbearers will be the Century Elementary Teachers and Staff. Kathy will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Two Inlets, Minnesota. Arrangements were provided by the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home of Park Rapids.