Katherine Bridget (Hart) Bourgeois

Katherine Bridget (Hart) Bourgeois, age 88, (formerly of Bella Vista, Ark.) passed away on Saturday October 14th at Quiet Oaks Hospice in St. Cloud, Minn. surrounded by family. Katherine was born on September 30, 1929 in Glidden, Wis. She was the youngest child of Matthew J. Hart Sr. and Katherine (Wolf) Hart. Katherine graduated from Glidden High School in 1947 and continued her education at Superior State Teachers College. On August 20, 1949, Katherine married Byron William Bourgeois of Park Falls, Wis. Katherine was deeply grounded in her Catholic faith and dedicated her life to raising her four children. Throughout her life, Katherine made many friends because of her dedication to her Church family. In Green Bay, Wis., she was both an active member of Saint Matthew's parish and became a loyal Packers fan. Once her family moved to Superior, WI, Katherine and her family joined the Cathedral of Christ the King, where she continued her active faith and community volunteer activities. Eventually, she returned to work at her college, taking a position in the University of Wisconsin - Superior Registrar's office. After retirement, Katherine and Byron retired to Bella Vista, Ark. and joined St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Over the next 14 years, Katherine was very engaged in this community and formed many friendships. She sang with St. Bernard's choir and volunteered at the Walton Art Center at the University of Arkansas. They retreated to their favorite place every summer, their cabin on Buffalo Lake in Wisconsin. When she moved to Monticello, Minn. in 2011, she joined St. Benedict's Senior Care community. She was a member of the Catholic Foresters and the American Legion Auxiliary. Katherine loved playing Mahjong and card games, especially with her Birthday Club. She loved to travel and share her adventures. Katherine is survived by four children; Mary (Stuart) McKie of Big Lake, Minn., Jean (John) O'Brien of Highland Heights, Ohio, Ann (Mark) Reed of Queen Creek, Ariz., and Thomas (Catherine Homan) of Alexandria, Ky.; 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, 13 nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, parents, four brothers, three sisters-in-law, a niece and a nephew. Katherine's family would like to express gratitude for the care provided to Katherine at St. Benedicts Senior Community, her Senior Helper and friend, Kim, Centra Care Hospice team and Quiet Oaks Hospice House. Also the family hopes that those who knew her will never forget the twinkle in her smiling Irish eyes. A prayer service in her honor will be held on Monday, November 6, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Benedict's Chapel 1301 E. 7th St. Monticello, Minn. Followed by ice cream in the Court Dining Room. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Glidden, Wis. on June 16, 2018. Condolences may be sent to the Glidden Enterprise, P.O. Box 128 Glidden, Wis. 54527 or email to: hartpub@centurytel.net. Memorials are preferred to Quiet Oaks Hospice House, P.O. Box 1241, St. Cloud, Minn. 56302.