Katherine M. Racette, 75, of Sturgeon Lake, Minn., passed away after a 4½ year battle with ovarian cancer on April 18 at Lakeshore Lutheran Home of Duluth, Minn. She was born Sept. 25, 1930 in Duluth to Henry and Anna (Yngve) Brand. Kay graduated from Central High School of Duluth in 1948. She worked for Hunt, Palmer & Hood in Duluth, Minn., as a legal secretary. It was there that she met and later married William A. Racette. They were united in marriage on Aug. 12, 1949, in Duluth. In 1953 they moved and settled in LaCrosse, Wis. She was a loving mother and homemaker, raising five children along with six foster children. She went back to work as a legal secretary in 1969 and worked for the District Attorney’s office and later for attorney Burliegh Randolph until her retirement. In 1986 Kay and Bill retired and moved back to Minnesota where they spent the last 20 years enjoying their home on Sturgeon Lake. Kay was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church of Moose Lake. She enjoyed everything in life. Shopping with her friends, taking walks, fishing, playing games, writing letters and watching sunsets were her favorite pastimes, but most of all she found happiness in her family. One of her greatest pleasures was, when her children came home, to visit with here grandchildren and great grandchildren. Kay is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Henry C. Brand. Kay is survived by her loving husband, Bill of 58 years; three sons, Gary (Gretchan) of Clinton Township, Mich., Tom (Ginny) of Sheridan, Wyo. and John (Jeanette) of Gig Harbor, Wash.; two daughters, Gail (George) Berry of Bremen and Cathy (Bob) Logar of Manhattan, Mont.; 12 grandchildren, Leigh (Zach) Townsend, Mandy (Jeremy) Campbell, Laura (Jason) Lemke, Justin Racette, Meghan Racette, Adam Logar, Beth Logar, Anna Berry, Cassie Berry, Connor Racette, Julia Racette, and Lissa Racette; four great grandchildren, Isiah, Alliah, Sierra and Sienna Campbell; and two sisters, Penny (Joe) Dundovic of Minneapolis, Minn. and Kathleen (Charlie) Latimer of Kansas City, Mo. Gathering of family and friends 9-10 a.m., Sat., April 22, followed by memorial service in Hope Lutheran Church, Moose Lake, Minn., with Pastor Jan Mehlhoff officiating. Memorials are preferred to Hope Lutheran Church Building Fund. Arrangements are with Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake, Minn.
