Kathleen Therese (VonderHaar) Elverum

Kathleen Therese (VonderHaar) Elverum, 73 of Lake Leander, Britt, MN, died peacefully on Saturday, February 9, 2019, at Cornerstone Villa in Buhl, MN, surrounded by her loving family. Kathy was born on May 18, 1945 in Virginia, MN to Alphonse and Lucille (Pecarina) VonderHaar, the 2nd oldest of 6 siblings. She attended Virginia High School, graduating in 1963. She married Jerry Otto Elverum on October 30, 1965 in Virginia, MN, where they lived for a short time until moving to Ann’s Acres in Mt. Iron, and eventually to Pleasant Lake in Fayal Township. While growing up in Virginia, Kathy’s parents bought a cabin on Lake Leander in Britt, where they spent every summer. She loved Lake Leander so much, that Kathy and Jerry bought a cabin there also, and eventually made Lake Leander their permanent home, where she lived out her remaining years watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandson develop the same love for the lake as she had since her youth. She attended Virginia Community College and the University of MN - Duluth, graduating with a degree in business and secondary education. Known fondly as “Mrs. E” by her students, she taught business at the Eveleth High School from 1971-2006. She continued her education and obtained her Masters Degree in Business Administration. At the end of nearly every school year, she would proclaim “that was my favorite bunch of students ever!”.  Mrs. E certainly found her calling, and she loved her job as much as she loved her students. After her retirement from EHS, Kathy and Jerry wintered in Estero, Florida, where she enjoyed the warmth and sunshine (and shopping), and made wonderful friends. Due to her extensive health problems, they permanently moved back to their home on Lake Leander to be closer to family. Each day when her daughters would call her and ask how she was doing, she would reply “COLD!”.

All who knew her admired her strength, tenacity and spirit as she faced her health issues head-on with grace and courage. She had a smile for everyone, and a fun and loving personality that drew people close to her.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 53 years, Jerry; her daughters Therese (Chris Petrack) Elverum and Trina (Nick) Hoff, both of Fayal Township; her beloved grandchildren who, in her eyes, could do no wrong - Brittany (Ryan) Sklors, Josh (Jessica) Elverum, Tim Tuskan, Jake O’Bey, Samantha Hoff, and her great-grandson, Bauer Elverum, all of whom she was so incredibly proud. Kathy is also survived by her siblings Elizabeth (Tom) Modec, Mary Dix, Lucie VonderHaar, Rich (Patti) VonderHaar, and Annette (Mike) Koski; her nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly, and many (many!) very dear cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, brother-in-law Marvin Dix, and brother John in infancy. We can only imagine what a joyous reunion they are all having.

With grateful hearts, the family would like to thank her many doctors, nurses and caregivers over the years, whose kindness and compassion we will never forget.

We will always love you more than the whole wide world.

The Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2019 in the Resurrection Catholic Church in Eveleth.  A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the Church.

Memorials are preferred and will be used to establish an Eveleth-Gilbert High School Scholarship in Kathy’s name.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .