Kathee Martinson

Kathee Martinson, 79, of Paynesville, died Friday, December 5 at Koronis Place in Paynesville. A visitation will be held 10:00 - 12:00, Saturday, December 13 at Koronis Place Senior Living Chapel. Burial will take place at a later date at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Arrangements are with Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. 

Kathee was born on October 12, 1946, to C. Edwin and Carmen Elizabeth (Sheldon) Brown in Willmar. She was raised in Paynesville and graduated from Paynesville High School in 1964. Following high school, she attended Augsburg University in Minneapolis.

On May 13, 1967, Kathee was united in marriage to Eugene Lester Martinson, the son of Lester and Mona (Bliven) Martinson. To this union they were blessed with three children: Edith, Laura, and Darrin. They made their home in Mounds View before returning to Paynesville in 1975. After returning to Paynesville, Kathee drove school bus for 17 years. She also worked at Peepers Distinctive Eyewear, retiring in 2005.

Kathee was a member of Nordland Lutheran Church. She served on the Paynesville Chamber of Commerce for several years and was president for two years. She was a founding member of the String O’ Pearls singing group. For decades, Kathee delighted in her monthly Bunco nights with nearly the same circle of 12 women, a tradition that began in 1987. She enjoyed bowling, bow hunting in both Minnesota and Colorado, and riding her motorcycle. Kathee especially loved traveling with her husband, often on their bikes. Together they rode from Billings to Nova Scotia, from Winnipeg to New Orleans, and to many places in between.

Above all, Kathee cherished her family. She loved hosting and cooking for them and especially enjoyed the yearly Martinson Family Camps.

Kathee is survived by her children: Edith Buermann of Paynesville, Laura (Jaime) Schmidt of Big Lake, and Darrin Martinson (Cody Hoff) of Sauk Rapids; ten grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren, with one more expected any day. She is also survived by her siblings, Steve (Rosalyn) Brown of Paynesville and Jill Brown of Anoka; three brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Kathee is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; parents, C. Edwin and Carmen; and son-in-law, John Buermann.

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