It is with sadness that the family of Kathleen (Catherine) Irene Ellsworth (Sackett) announces her death after a short illness at the age of 87 years old. She died at 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Hospital – St. Marys Campus.

Kathleen was born in Rochester, MN on March 24, 1937 to Layton and Catherine (Palby) Sackett. She graduated from St. Charles High School in 1955. She married Benjamin F. Ellsworth June 24, 1958 and was married for 66 wonderful years. Kathleen attended Winona State Teachers College 1958-1961 and was an Elementary Teacher in Wanamingo, Osseo, West Concord, and Stewartville, MN from 1958-1962. Then, she became a full-time mother to four children and homemaker before becoming a business partner with her husband from 1980-2005 as bookkeeper for an apartment complex they owned.

Kathleen volunteered to support many of her children's activities by being a Boy Scout Den Mother and CCD teacher at St. Pius Catholic church. She loved quilting and belonged to the Rochester Quilter's Sew-iety. After retiring in 2005 she enjoyed traveling with her husband to 'snow-bird' every winter in Sunny Isles Beach, FL. Through her travels she grew friendships even all the way to Australia. She loved her family, grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. For many years she enjoyed a multi-generational cabin trip to central MN to fish, played games, watch thunderstorms over the lake, and eat s'mores next to the fire. She also loved reading, dancing, camping, boating, fishing, biking, and playing games. For years she would play Dominoes every Sunday.

Survivors include: Husband, Benjamin; Children: Kristi (Brad), David (Mary), Thomas (Verna), and Duane (Denise); Grandchildren:  Emmett, Jacob, Benjamin, Sarah, Micheal, Jonathan, and Stephanie; Step-Grandchildren: Jessie (Paul), Quinn, Abraham (Caylin), Josiah (Lilyanna), Hannah. Step-Great-Grandchildren: Cedar and Wren.

She was preceded in death by: Parents: Layton and Catherine Sackett of St. Charles, MN.  In-Laws: Cecil and Frances Ellsworth of Utica, MN. Daughter-in-Law: Sonia Ellsworth of Rochester, MN. Brothers/Sister-in-laws: James and Phylis Sackett of California and Keith and Joyce Sackett of St. Charles, MN.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Monday January 27, 2025 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester with the Rev. Jim Starasinich officiating.  The visitation will be held at the church, beginning at 9:00am.  The burial will be in Oakwood East Cemetery in Rochester.