Kathleen (Kathy) Pusch, 92, passed away on Thursday, March 8, after a brief illness.

Kathleen and her twin brother, Donald, were born on Dec. 18, 1925, in Graceville, Minnesota. They were the youngest of five children and grew up in Munich, North Dakota.

Kathy met the love of her life, Frederick Pusch, when she was a student at the College of St. Benedict and he was a student at St. John’s University. They were married on Aug. 3, 1953, and moved to Austin, where they raised five children.

Kathy said that she became entranced with books and reading in first grade when her teacher read “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” to her and her classmates. She shared that love with others by working as a school librarian for many years in the Austin Public Schools. She preferred reading history and biographies. When selecting fiction, she always read the last chapter first to see if the book was worth her time.

After Kathy and Fred retired, they enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe. Among her favorite destinations were Ireland (the homeland of her grandparents) and Italy. After Fred passed away, she continued to enjoy travel, including a cruise to Alaska with two of her daughters and a son-in-law.

Growing up during the Depression and World War II, she developed a life-long interest in politics and social justice. She and Fred attended many DFL caucuses and conventions. She was never reluctant to share her thoughts on political issues of the day, even writing to the bishop to suggest how he should handle a particular issue.

More than anything, Kathy enjoyed being with her family. She and her twin brother shared a lake home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. They spent many summer vacations at the lake with their families and loved to entertain friends there as well. As Kathy always said, “Food tastes better outdoors,” so lunch and dinner were always served on the deck. She and her sister-in-law outdid themselves in the kitchen at the lake, preparing home cooked feasts for a crowd that usually numbered at least 15.

Kathy took great delight in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When they were still young, she told them that candy and coffee were health foods. We think she was right on that score because she did have a long and happy life.

In addition to coffee and candy, Kathy loved playing bridge with her many close friends. She often told her children that a good week was when she played bridge at least three times. Winning “high prize” made it even better.

Her faith and being part of a Catholic community were always very important to her. Shortly after she retired, Kathy and several of her friends became known as the “Church Ladies” at a local fast food restaurant, where they convened for coffee after attending daily Mass.

Kathy’s good company, humor and wit will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her older brothers; a sister; and her son-in-law, Bruce Anderson. She is survived by her twin brother; her five children, Frederick Pusch, Jr. (Nancy), Mary Louise Foster (Jim), Jeanne Anderson, JoAnn Ferber (Paul), and Donald (Laura); five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donor’s favorite charity. Mayer Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.