Kathleen Kregel

Kathleen E. Kregel (Kati), 86, of Fort Dodge passed away Sunday, June 9, 2024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 20th at Holy Trinity Church with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. and burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery. After the burial, we will gather at the Celebration Center, Friendship Haven, for fellowship and a luncheon.

Kati is survived by her daughter Kaleen (Matt) Mikulski, Eagan, MN; granddaughter Meg Mikulski (Aidan Young), Minneapolis, MN; sister Mary (Robert) Daniel, Chambersburg, PA; brother Dr. Terence Cudahy (Kristin) of Indianapolis, IN, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by Thomas, her husband of 64 years, and parents Francis and Margaret (Minnihan) Cudahy.

Kati was born January 23, 1938, in Jefferson, IA. She attended area schools and graduated from Jefferson High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mount Mercy College and a Master of Science in Education/Educational Administration from Drake University.

Kati was the former Center Director of Buena Vista University, Fort Dodge, and was devoted to the Fort Dodge community. She was a dedicated volunteer for the Fort Dodge Public Library serving as the President of the Library Board, the W.H. Johnston Foundation (today the Fort Dodge Public Library Foundation) and Friends of the Library. She was also instrumental in passing the bond referendum to build the new library.

Kati served on the Trinity Regional Hospital Board of Directors and chaired the Health Facilities Council that earned approval for a heart center in Fort Dodge. In addition, she was on the Steering Committee and Board of Directors of the Community Health Center. The Iowa Supreme Court appointed her to the state’s Board of Law Examiners.

For almost 25 years the family looked forward to their annual vacation to Madeline Island in Wisconsin. We have so many happy and exciting memories from those trips – fun, games, bike rides, delicious food (made by Kati) and the occasional bear sighting very close to the house! After retirement Kati traveled extensively with her dear friend Jane and later with her granddaughter, Meg.

Kati spent her final days at Friendship Haven under the compassionate care provided by the team at Terrace View.

Memorials may be left to the Fort Dodge Public Library (424 Central Avenue Fort Dodge, IA 50501).