Kathleen “Kathy” Rose Vlach

Kathleen Rose Vlach, 98, died Sunday morning, December 8, 2024, at the Scandi Haven Village in Benson, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Kathy was born August 8, 1926, in Clarkson, Nebraska to Edward and Elsie (Roether) Zelenda. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith. Her father died when Kathy was seven years old leaving her mother to raise two daughters alone. Kathy grew up in Clarkson, attended elementary school, and graduated from Clarkson High School. Then one weekend at the Clarkson Ballroom, Kathy met the love of her life, a farm boy Joseph Vlach, from the neighboring town of Howells. They raised a family of one daughter and two sons. Together they shared over 72 years of marriage.

In 1956, Joe and Kathy purchased a farm and moved their family near Benson, Minnesota. Kathy loved the farm life and being a farm wife who willingly helped Joe with field work and livestock chores. They were active in National Farmers Organization in the 1960s.

Kathy planted a good-sized garden every summer. It was something she enjoyed tending to and canned many jars of the produce which the garden provided.  She also enjoyed reading books, taking road trips, going to farm auctions and thrashing bees with Joe. They, of course, loved to dance; it was how they met. When they were able to retire in 1984, Joe and Kathy started going to dances almost every weekend and made many new friends on the dance circuit. As long as they were able to, she and Joe hosted all the holiday dinners for the growing family. After Joe died in September of 2013, Kathy moved to an apartment Scofield Place in Benson.

Kathy is survived by her daughter Patti Madden (fiancé Ralph Croonquist) of Benson, Joe (Julie) Vlach of Benson, and Rod (Diane) Vlach of Willmar; seven grandchildren: Ryan (Dawn) Madden of Benson, Leah (Kent) Erickson of Mankato, Wade (Deann) Madden of Lakeville, Dustin (fiancé Jenn Halvorson) Vlach of Willmar, Mandi (Jamie) Naig of Hancock, Melanie North of Friendsville, Tennessee, and Kyle (Kelly) Vlach of St. Paul; twelve great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe, son-in-law Mick Madden, sister Marguerite Hejtmaneck, and a brother-in-law Lawrence.

Blessed be her memory.