KATHLEEN KELLY VAN DOEREN

1937 – December 10, 2024

On Monday, May 5, 2025 Kathleen's Visitation starts at 10 a.m. CDT, Funeral is at 11 am. Light lunch reception to follow.

With heavy hearts, we invite you to join us as we honor and remember the life of our beloved Kathleen Van Doeren. This will be a time for family and friends to gather, share memories & stories, and pay their respects. After the Celebration of LIfe at 11 am 5/5, there will be a light lunch reception.

In Lieu of flowers, Donations may be made in Kathleen’s memory to:

The Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement, founded by Father Joseph Kentenich in 1914, is a Catholic Marian movement focused on spiritual renewal and living the Gospel through Mary's example, with a strong emphasis on education and formation.

Music Link-Nonprofit that connects promising music students with professional teachers at a reduced or free price.

Church of St. Patrick of Edina

6820 Saint Patricks Lane, Edina, MN 55439

Kind, loving, street smart, wise, brilliant teacher, and exceptional pianist—Kathleen was all of these and so much more. She was a woman of tremendous strength, grace, and faith, whose life touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Kathleen was the beloved mother of three: Richard (Rick), Karen, and Joan; grandmother of nine: Joslin, Julian, Lauren, Christopher, Kaitlin, Matthew, Michael, Charles, and Eleanor; and great-grandmother of six: Christopher, Ruth, Jackson, Caleb, Lucia, and Eloise, with two more great-grandchildren soon to arrive~ one is named Aria Christine. Her love for her family was unwavering, and she poured her heart into the roles she held, creating countless treasured memories that will live on for generations.

Kathleen earned her B.A. from Loretto Heights College and began her teaching career with seventh graders in Omaha. After marrying Richard, her husband of nearly 64 years (celebrated in June 2024), she taught high school in Philadelphia until the birth of their first child, Richard. Kathleen then transitioned to devoting her time and talents to raising her family and teaching piano privately—all of these a large part of her beautiful legacy.

Her journey took her and her family from Hatboro, Pennsylvania, to Columbus, Ohio, where Richard pursued graduate studies, and eventually to Minneapolis/Edina, where they made their home. Kathleen’s love for music and dedication to mastering her craft led her to study piano privately for over twenty years with Bernard Weiser, then the head of the piano department at the University of Minnesota. Bernard remarked that Kathleen had the largest memorized piano repertoire of any student he had ever taught—an extraordinary testament to her discipline and talent.

A woman of deep and abiding faith in God, Kathleen’s spirituality was woven into the fabric of her daily life. Her faith not only gave her strength but allowed her to share that same strength, love, and encouragement with those around her. She had an unparalleled ability to combine exemplarypiano instruction with genuine connection and compassion for her students. Whether guiding her children and grandchildren, mentoring her students, or nurturing friendships, Kathleen gave of herself fully and unconditionally.

Her life was a beautiful example of generosity, forgiveness, perseverance, and kindness. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and music that will continue to inspire and uplift all who knew her. The memory of her warm heart, wise counsel, and incredible talent will remain forever etched in the hearts of her family, students, and friends.

Kathleen was an extraordinary woman. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now in the loving arms of the Lord she so deeply loved, and her spirit will live on through the family she cherished, and the lives she touched so profoundly.

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