Kathryn Jean Estrem Mao was born in Havre, Montana to Norman and Ruth Estrem, the fourth of five siblings, Mary, Peter, Rebecca, and Andrea. She spent most of her childhood and adult life in various areas of Minnesota. She studied music beginning at Lawrence University and then graduated from Wartburg College with her BA in piano performance. She also taught piano for many years.

She was greatly involved with the Cambodian community and had a deep love for the country, people, and culture. She learned, taught, and helped preserve classical Cambodian music. A trip with Lutheran World Services brought her to Cambodia to teach English, where she met and married Savoeun Mao and gave birth to her son, David. They moved back to MN, where she continued to stay involved with the Cambodian community, as well as with the church and had her daughter, Nicolina. She served as secretary at Christ Lutheran Church for many years. Later, she worked for the state of MN in the drivers and vehicle service call center. She also served as the musician at North Emmanuel Lutheran Church for many years.

In her free time, she loved reading, coloring, appreciating and creating art, doing complex sudoku, enjoying nature, writing, listening and playing music, taking and editing photos, learning, and spending time with her children, family, friends and especially her grandchildren, Avary, Korra, Kaizen, and Emra. She extended her motherly and grandma love to all, including fur babies.

In her last few days, she said she loved so many people and wanted everyone to know how much they were loved. She will be immensely missed, though her light and love will continue on.

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