Kathy was born July 24, 1951, in Scotland, SD, to Cliff and Norma Konrad. She was raised on a farm south of Parkston, SD, and was actively involved in 4-H and her church youth group. She graduated from Mitchell Senior High School in 1969 and South Dakota State University in 1974. Her major courses of study were Psychology, Sociology and Child Development.

On August 31, 1974, Kathy married her college sweetheart, Ron Olson, of Britton, SD, in Mitchell, SD. Kathy and Ron lived in Aberdeen, SD for two years before moving to Pierre, SD, where they resided for forty years. They purchased their first home on Taylor Avenue and soon became proud parents to their two children before moving to their home on Capitol Avenue, just blocks up from the Missouri River. Kathy and Ron were active members of Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre, where Kathy served on the executive board of the Lutheran Women’sMissionaryLeague, as a Sunday School teacher, bell and vocal choir member and pianist. She served on the original Board of Early Childhood Education overseeing the launch of the Faith Lutheran Day Care Center.

Kathy was employed by the SD Department of Social Services in Aberdeen before working as a Resource Development Social Worker, licensing foster care and day care homes in Pierre. She started her career as a Court Service Officer for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pierre in 1978 and served with distinction there for nearly fifteen years. She served on the SD Corrections Association Executive Board; the Missouri Shores Women’s Center Board of Directors; the Suicide Prevention Coalition; chaired the Pierre/Ft. Pierre Child Protection Team and was listed in the 1985 edition of Outstanding Young Women of America. Kathy was beyond generous and always ready to help others in any way. After her Court Services career, she worked for the Department of Human Services in the Division of Developmental Disabilities, where she was awarded the Governor’s Award for the Respite Program she helped create. She considered it a privilege to work with her colleagues and for the families she served in this role. Shortly after retiring in 2010, she worked as a buyer and retailer at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre where she loved meeting many artists and authors.

Everyone knew Kathy loved shopping and baking. She was known for her famous caramels. After Kathy and Ron moved to Sioux Falls in 2016, she loved traveling with Ron, spending time in their camper at Four Mile Lake with relatives, reading books voraciously, knitting, playing mahjong, and attending yoga with friends. She often visited her kids in Denver and Minneapolis. She cherished spending time with her granddaughters in Denver, attending their dance recitals, birthday parties and joining them on trips to the Black Hills and Disneyland. Kathy more than loved spoiling her granddaughters, Maisey, Sage, and Leona with gifts.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Ronald Olson, of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Ryan (Brigitte) Olson of Denver, CO; daughter, Kara Olson (Erin Wilkins) of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Maisey and Sage Olson of Denver, CO, and Leona Wilkins Beasley of Minneapolis, MN; brothers, Paul (Laurie) Konrad of Esteline, SD, and Daniel (Diane) Konrad of Winchester, TN; and sister, Joan (Dennis) Mercer of Rapid City, SD. Kathy is also survived by aunts, uncles, and cousins, along with several beloved nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Norma Jean (Schnabel) Konrad, her in-laws, Donald and Evelyn Olson, and brother-in-law, Mark Steiner.

Kathy was filled with light and anyone who was lucky enough to be anywhere near her was blessed to be bathed in that light. She mothered so many people and was known for her laugh, her caring eyes, voice and words. Her love was exponential. She would want everyone to know there is no way her love would end with her earthly life ending.

Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”