Kathleen "Kathy" Oakes

Kathleen “Kathy” Oakes, age 84, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Vista Prairie at Copperleaf Assisted Living in Willmar, MN.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Ortonville. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Thursday. Fr. Shawn Polman and Deacon Paul Treinen will celebrate the Mass, and inurnment will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville at a later date.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Kathleen Mary (Ryan) Oakes was born on March 31, 1940, in St. Paul, MN, to Thomas and Eileen (Fitzgerald) Ryan. She was the daughter of a devoted military father, which led to a childhood filled with travel. However, she spent most of her formative years in St. Paul, where she graduated from St. Joseph's Academy with the Class of 1958.

Kathy met the love of her life, Terry Oakes, in 1957 during a blind date for the prom, a serendipitous encounter that would spark a lifelong partnership. The couple exchanged vows on January 3, 1959, at the Church of St. Mark’s in St. Paul, marking the beginning of their family life together in the house that Terry built. A devoted homemaker for many years, Kathy nurtured her family with unwavering love and support.

In 1986, Kathy returned to education, attending the University of Minnesota - Morris, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1990. This accomplishment led to a fulfilling career as a social worker with Big Stone County Family Services, culminating in her role as the Director of Social Services at Northridge Nursing Home in Ortonville. She also worked with children in the Emotional Behavioral Disorder (EBD) room at Ortonville School until her retirement in 2005.

A woman of deep faith, Kathy devoted herself to her church community at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville. She coordinated the religious education program for many years, served on the parish council, and participated as a Eucharistic minister and lector. She was an oblate to Blue Cloud Abbey. Kathy also cherished her time with the Red Hatters Group and contributed to the Bowl of Love church group. Kathy spent two decades volunteering with hospice, including engaging in dog therapy.

Kathy’s passions extended beyond her community service; she loved knitting, gardening, fishing, and deer hunting. An avid reader, she valued her church book group and enjoyed celebrating life with friends and family through her Birthday Club. Music was another source of joy, and she was proud to be a member of the St. John’s church choir.

Above all, Kathy really enjoyed raising her children. She adored every one of her grandchildren and it brought her great joy to see how her family had grown.

Left to cherish Kathy’s memory are her sons: Thomas (Dayna) Oakes of Ortonville, MN; Daniel Oakes of Ortonville, MN; John (Julie) Oakes of Odessa, MN; Steven (Bobbie) Oakes of Ortonville, MN; and David (Denise) Oakes of Detroit Lakes, MN; nine grandchildren: Jesse, Jason, Isaac, Trenton, Dani, Brooke, Justin, Aaron, and Sean; eight great-grandchildren: Austen, Kyler, Wilson, Jaxon, Clara, Cameron, Arya, and Spencer; sisters: Constance Oakes of Stillwater, MN; and Patricia Paine of Coon Rapids, MN; along with many other extended family.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Terry in 2019; her parents; brothers: Thomas Ryan, and John Ryan; daughters-in-law: Karen Oakes, and Vicki Oakes; sisters-in-law: Doris Oakes, and Sr. Dolores Oakes; brothers-in-law: Thomas Oakes, Charles Oakes, and James Oakes; nephew, Michael Oakes; and niece, Patricia (Oakes) Thielke.