Catherine Schiltgen

Catherine Ann "Kay" Schiltgen
Age 86 of Afton, Minnesota.
Kay passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 4, 2018. She is preceded in death by her husband Richard "Dick", a daughter Mary Ann and 2 brothers; Richard and Gerald. She is survived by 8 children and their spouses/so: Thomas (Lou), Steven (Pattee), Lora (Brad) Price, David (Linda), Ronald (Mary), Joseph (Renee Wood), Amy (Scott) Novotny, Lisa Berres (Joe Pauley). She is also survived by her six of 8 siblings: Jean, Clyde, Kenneth, Donald, Joan and Marge, 20 Grandchildren, 12 Great-Grandchildren, and many, many extended family members. Kay was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on March 8, 1932 to Peter and Bernadine Durand. At age 14, she worked at St. Joseph's hospital. She graduated from Mechanic Arts School in 1950. Kay and Dick met at a ballroom dance and married in October 1950. They bought their farm on Manning Ave. in Afton in 1951 where she lived as a dedicated wife, mother and partner in farming. As a farmer's wife, Kay brought a woman's touch to caring for the animals, delivered countless meals to the field and handled the bookkeeping. She grew a big garden to feed the family and taught us all the ways of canning, freezing and butchering chickens. Kay began growing and selling pumpkins each fall, which grew to become a favorite fall tradition for her grandchildren and folks from the cities taking a country drive to her pumpkin stand. Her gardening legacy is carried on today by two of her grandchildren through 'Schiltgen Farms' farm stand and 'Turtle Hare Farm'. Kay was an active 4-H parent and Club Leader for all 8 children. 4-H was a big part of family life that centered around the county and state fairs which she loved.
She was known for her cooking and her husband was her biggest fan. She could substitute and stretch recipes and always come up with something delicious. She was an accomplished seamstress and designed dance costumes and doll clothes. She loved to dance and taught us all. In her community, Kay was a long-time member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and a member of the VFW Auxillary. She also worked at the State Capitol cafeteria for several years which gave her much pride. After her children were grown, Kay enjoyed following her grandchildren's activities, adding to her Iris garden, taking drives in the country, thrift shopping, going on "getaway adventures" with her sisters and brothers and trips visiting her children on the west coast. Our mother was a person of few words, but by example, she passed along her spiritual practice, a solid work ethic, her gardening know-how, her creative gifts and love of dancing, her thrift and resourcefulness, her tenacity and patience, and through her acts of care giving, a compassion for all living beings and a gratitude and acceptance toward life. Kay's family sincerely thanks all who aided in her care at Comforts of Home and St. Croix Hospice. Join us to honor and celebrate her life. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 23rd, 4-6 PM at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, September 24th, 10:30 A.M. at ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH, 16770 13th St., Lake St. Croix Beach, with visitation I hour prior to mass. Kay will be laid to rest beside her husband Richard at Lakeview Cemetery.