Kathleen von Fischer

Kathleen Jean Johnson von Fischer was born July 8, 1947, in Minneapolis, to Edwin G. and Jeanne E. (Anderson) Johnson. She was baptized in Minneapolis and as a girl lived with her parents in Minneapolis, Mora, Bemidji, and Bloomington. She was confirmed at Christ the King Lutheran Church, and graduated from Bloomington High School in 1965. She attended the University of Minnesota and after her education worked a variety of jobs including in a physician’s office, as a stewardess for Northwest Airlines, and at retail businesses. She married Rev. Charles von Fischer on October 5, 1968, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bloomington (where Charles was assistant pastor). After marriage they lived in Bloomington until March of 1971 when they moved to Lakeville to accept a call at Christiania Lutheran Church.

Kathy was longtime member of Christiania Lutheran Church where she was active in CLCW, Circles, Altar Guild, as choir director, and as a support system for her husband. One of her great loves was music. She was a talented pianist and a gifted vocalist - at one time being offered the opportunity to study opera in Italy. In 1965 she was Miss Naval Reserve for the Aquatennial. Kathy was very creative with sewing, needle work and quilting. She was warmly elegant, had a magnetism that drew people to her, and was a wonderful entertainer and hostess.

Kathy’s health issues began in the 1970's and while suffering with Ankylosing Spondylitis she endured seven major surgeries including a heart valve replacement and a kidney transplant. Even through adversity, Kathy always had a smile. The compassion she drew made her more precious and helped define the person she was.

Survivors include her husband, Charles; 2 sons: Joseph and wife Colleen Webb of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Paul and wife Mari of Brookings, South Dakota; 5 grandchildren: Isaac, Josie, Summer, Liam & Peter; 2 brothers and their wives: Jerry and Jill Johnson of Minnetonka, Dr. Mark and Katie Johnson of St. Cloud; nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Kathy passed away, with her husband and sons by her side, on Friday afternoon, July 25, 2008, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, at the age of 61.

Funeral services will be 1:30P.M. Monday, July 28, 2008, at Christiania Lutheran Church in rural Lakeville with Revs. Thomas von Fischer, Nancy Brown, and John Golv officiating. Scott Lundeen will be organist. Interment will be in East Christiania Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Eric Johnson, Molly Johnson, Bo Skillman, Don Fehr, Todd Bachman and George Silverness. Visitation will be 4-8 P.M. Sunday, July 27, 2008, at Christiania Lutheran Church, 26691 Pillsbury Avenue, Lakeville. Visitation will continue on Monday at the church, one hour prior to the funeral.

Funeral Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.