Roach, Kathryn Lorraine January 14, 1937 - Sept. 17, 2022 Kathy Roach, formerly Kathy Ruen, 85, of Mendota Heights, MN. Beloved wife of William (Bill) Roach. She is survived by sons Will (Lisa Schwartz) Roach, Wally (Nancy) Roach, and Kevin (Mona) Roach, 5 grandchildren Steven, Katie, Amy, Sam, Jack; sister Elaine (Don) Johnson, brother-in-law Chuck Roach, sister-in-law Kathleen Roach, many nieces and nephews, and countless dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, parents Arthur C. Ruen and Florence Pilgrim Ruen, brother Carleton. She grew up on a farm outside of Decorah, IA and helped manage the herd of Holstein cows. In post depression, post war Iowa, she crafted clothes from patterned grain sacks and was a fine seamstress. She was a state 4H officer and a proud Decorah Viking. Kathy was named Queen of the Furrow in a statewide pageant and was also quite comfortable driving an International Harvester tractor. She loved going back to Decorah for Nordic Fest and staying at the Winneshiek Hotel. Her love of sewing and cooking led her to pursue a career in Home Economics. She first studied at Iowa State, then the University of Northern Iowa, where she earned her degree in Education. Her first teaching job was in Austin, MN where she met the love of her life, Bill. They were married 53 years, prior to Bill's death in 2016. After the wedding, the couple moved to Boise, ID and started their family. She found out she would have twins on April Fools Day. Two years later, they added another son and adopted their dog, Trouble. The family of five then moved to Mendota Heights, MN, and lived in the house there for 43 years. She taught home economics in the Roseville School District. She loved her students and attended many of their sporting events. Kathy fostered a wonderful network of colleagues across departments at several schools. She developed many strong, life-long friendships. She promoted each of the Home Ec arts: from cooking to creating a home to sewing, (including Hardanger). Her cooking legacy included epic early morning breakfasts and holiday meals. Her table settings amazed and created an inner glow. She astounded us with meatballs, prime rib, brownies, pickles, pies, cheesecakes, and fudge. Her food world expanded before the current food revolution. She enjoyed antiquing, collecting pie safes, thimbles, and spoons. Her gardens were astounding. Kathy was scorekeeper for the kids' baseball games and was known for her generous rulings on hits and shamelessly padded everyone's batting averages. Kathy knew just the right card, the right gift, the right wrapping paper. She also knew she was right, especially at family council meetings. Kathy had an extraordinary ability to connect with people. She embraced a loving notion of others. The Ordway held a special place in Kathy's heart. In addition to being subscribers, she was an usher there for 30 years. She loved greeting patrons and taking tickets. She began a second career as a production assistant at the Prairie Home Companion Show and at Writer's Almanac. She was called fearless in her role of getting permissions from poets for their works. Poetry entered her life and really touched her soul. Bestemor and Grandpa helped tend their sons' gardens and showed their children and grandchildren all that the Twin Cities can offer culturally- with varied shows, concerts, ballets, art, and music. She was a true Superfan of their many activities and sporting events. Travel was dear and she relished a 1961 trip to Europe with special friends Nancy and Sally Slaughter; the young ladies checked into hotel rooms as "2 Slaughters and a Ruen." She gloried in watching the sunsets in Florence, Italy, reveled in front of the pyramids, and relished the fjords of Norway. She would want people to see beauty in others, understand people's different circumstances and come to an understanding, and follow her life's motto of "carry on." In lieu of flowers, she would want you to enjoy a show of your choosing or donate to Open Arms of Minnesota food center. A celebration of life service is being scheduled at Hennepin Ave United Methodist Church, date to be determined.

Published on October 2, 2022