Kathy Kay Koerner

Kathy Koerner, age 65 of Belle Fourche, died Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

The funeral service was held 11am Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Belle Fourche.  

Inurnment will take place 10:30am Friday, June 24, 2022 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.  Military Honors will be provided by the Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard.

Kathy Kay Gustafson was born December 19, 1956 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.  She was the daughter of Kenneth and Lauretta (Helke) Gustafson.  Kathy grew up in Port Edwards WI where she graduated from high school in 1975.  After high school, Kathy entered the U.S. Air Force and from 1975 to 1980 she was stationed at the Minot Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota.  While she was there, she met the love of her life, Lydell Koerner.  They were united in marriage on May 20, 1978 in Port Edwards.  To this union three sons were born: Adam, Ryan, and Travis.  In 1981 Kathy and Lydell moved to Idaho where they were stationed at the Mountain Home Air Force Base.  In 1984 they moved to the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan.  In 1987 the family moved to Belle Fourche, where they have lived since.  Kathy spent 25 years working for Walmart in Spearfish as an accounting clerk.  She retired in 2015. 

Kathy enjoyed bowling and was a member of the couple’s league and the ladies league in Belle Fourche.  She also was an avid reader, loved camping and fishing.  She was a kind, soft-spoken woman, generous and loving.  She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She loved her children and grandchildren so much.  She will be greatly missed by all of them.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Lydell of Belle Fourche; sons, Adam (Stacee) of Charleston SC, Ryan (Heather) of Spearfish, Travis of Spearfish; 4 grandchildren, Fletcher, Skylar, Noah, Asher; 5 sisters, Karen Schultz of Newport News VA, Diane (David) Werderits of Nekoosa WI, Bonnie (Dick) Kempen of Wisconsin Rapids WI, Debra (Joe) Bradbury of Windsor ME, Pam (David) Groshek of Wisconsin Rapids WI; step-mother, Rose Gustafson of Stevens Point WI; sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Gustafson of Wisconsin Rapids WI, Cindy (Don) Ditmeyer of Mill Creek WA, Lisa (Val) Koerner of San Antonio TX ; and several nieces and nephews.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Larry Gustafson; and daughter-in-law, D.J. Koerner.

Forever In Our Hearts

Kathy Kay Koerner

1956 - 2022

Celebration of Life Service

11:00 A.M. – Wednesday – January 26, 2022

First Congregational United Church of Christ

Belle Fourche, South Dakota

Officiant ~ Pastor Chuck Aurand

Music

“The Old Rugged Cross”, “On Eagle’s Wings”

Debra Leverington, soloist

Cong. Hymn – “Amazing Grace”

Lanelle Cundall, organist

Honorary Casketbearers

B. F. Fire Dept. ~ Fire & Iron Motorcycle Club 118

Active Casketbearers

(Nephews)

Tyler Bradbury    Matthew Carter   Eric Ditmeyer

Aaron Gustafson   Christopher Gustafson 

Danny Kempen    David Werderits

Inurnment

Black Hills National Cemetery

Sturgis, South Dakota

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