Kathleen "Kathy" M. Harder, 85, of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 20, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Kathy was born on May 27, 1941, in Henderson, Minnesota, to Arnold and Marie Kotval. On November 26, 1959, she married the love of her life, Don Harder. Together they shared more than 44 years of marriage, raising their family in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, before later making their home in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. After retirement, Kathy and Don enjoyed spending winters in Arizona, where they made many lasting friendships.

While Kathy spent most of her life as a homemaker, she also worked a variety of part-time jobs, including many years caring for children at the YMCA daycare and later as a cook at a local café in Balsam Lake. Caring for others came naturally to her, whether at work, at church, or at home.

Nothing brought Kathy more joy than gathering people around the table. In her younger years, she lovingly baked and decorated cakes for weddings, graduations, confirmations, birthdays, and countless family celebrations. Later she became the one everyone counted on to prepare the holiday turkey or Christmas ham. Even after she moved to senior living, she remained the organizer, making sure everyone knew what dish to bring so that no one left hungry.

For Kathy, the food was only part of the gathering. She loved visiting with family and friends over a meal, and those who shared her table knew conversation was never in short supply. She was never at a loss for words or opinions, and those who loved her wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Her generosity, upbeat spirit, and genuine interest in people made her the kind of person who rarely met a stranger.

Her Catholic faith was a cornerstone of her life. She rarely missed Mass or parish activities and found great joy in serving and building friendships within her church community. She also became a familiar face in her senior living community, helping organize social gatherings that naturally centered around food, fellowship, and laughter.

Above all else, Kathy treasured her family. She cherished time with her children and grandchildren and delighted in watching her family grow with the arrival of her two great-granddaughters.

Those who knew Kathy will remember her unmistakable laugh and the loud, enthusiastic "Hi!" that greeted anyone who called. It became a family joke because no one ever had to wonder whether Kathy was happy to hear from them—she always made sure you knew.

Kathy is survived by her children, Gary Harder of Red Wing, Minnesota, and Wendy Gilbert (Harder) of Forest Lake, Minnesota; her grandchildren, Rachel (A.J.) Hill, Alex Harder, Kayla Gilbert, and Ashley Gilbert; her great-granddaughters, Luna and Eve Hill; her bonus daughter, Morgan, and Morgan's children; her siblings, Jerry (Karen) Kotval, Pat (Nathan) Goranson, Mike Kotval, and Dan (Cindy) Kotval, Julie Kotval; sisters in-law, Nancy (Connie) Bramstedt and Chloe (Dale) Hendrickson; brother-in-law, Tom (Cheryl) Harder; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don; her parents, Arnold and Marie Kotval; and her siblings, Linda, Dave, and Rich Kotval.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service in the parish hall. Interment will take place at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Georgetown at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials are preferred to Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church.