Catherine Koelln

Catherine Koelln, age 87 of Alexandria left to meet her Savior, Jesus late Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 from the Bethany on the Lake care facility in Alexandria, MN.

Catherine Cecelia Suchy was one of eight children born to Clemens and Theresa (Revering) Suchy.  She entered the world on February 4, 1934 in Effington Township, Otter Tail County, MN.  She grew up north of Alexandria and after high school, moved to Litchfield where she worked as a housekeeper and waitress.  Catherine met a charming young suitor named Carl Koelln and they soon fell in love.  They married on Valentine’s Day in 1955 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Belle River, MN.  They first lived on various military bases while Carl finished his time in the service.  After the service, they returned to the Alexandria area, but then Carl found work in Coon Rapids, where they would live for the next fifteen years.  During this time Catherine did day care for the neighborhood children while also raising her own.  In 1974 the Koelln’s bought the Belle River Store.  After a couple of years they moved to a farm by Oak Hill.  Never one to be idle, Catherine again waitressed (this time at the Sportsman’s Café) in addition to caring for people with special needs.  Her kindness and selflessness in helping others blossomed into a business. In 1986 she opened a facility in Sauk Centre called the Koelln Homes, where Catherine provided services for clients with various disabilities.  She ran this worthwhile venture for many years, finally retiring in 2012 and moving into the Windmill Ponds Assisted Living in Alexandria.  Catherine was a member of the St. Nicholas parish in Belle River and belonged to both the Christian Mothers and the St. Ann’s Sodality.

Baking and cooking delicious meals for her family and residents was a life-long vocation for Catherine.  She was so comfortable in her kitchen and happy when serving home-cooked meals to those she loved.  She also gardened each season to supply her pantry with many canned goods to use throughout the year.  Working on word puzzles and reading books were also past times she enjoyed.  She was a devoted hockey fan and a wonderful Grandma to her many grand and great grandchildren.  Blessed be her memory.

She will live on in the hearts of her children, Steven Koelln of Miltona, Dianne (David) Holzer of Coon Rapids, Valorie (Allen) Boecker of Sauk Centre, Patricia (Tim) Hinrichs of Alexandria, Mark (Lori) Koelln of Sauk Centre; daughter-in-law, Val Koelln of Hutchinson; 2 special daughters, Pam (Tim) Howe of Andover and Peggy (Peter) Luck of Champlin; 17 grandchildren;  30 great grandchildren; siblings, Leonard (Sue) Suchy of Alexandria, Clem (Cheryl) Suchy of Miltona and Larry (Polly) Suchy of Rogers, AR; many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Carl, a son, Brian Koelln and an infant daughter, Jeannie Koelln; sisters, Mary Grimsgard, Terry Anderson, Sylvia Kotz and Charlotte Johnson.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held for Catherine on Friday, March 5, 2021 at 11:00 am at  St. Nicholas Church in Belle River, MN with Fr. David Petron officiating.  Readers are Tom Kotz, Dave Holzer and Larry Suchy.  Interment is at the church cemetery with honorary bearers being all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Active pall bearers are Shawn Laven, Andrew Koelln, Kevin Probach, Sherri Evelius, Jeremy Koelln, Josh Koelln, Joe Kotz and Michael Anderson.

A visitation time will begin on Thursday evening from 4 – 8 pm at the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN with parish prayers at 8 pm and one hour before the service at the church.

Condolences and memories may also be left for Catherine on her Tribute page at www.royhetland.com.   Arrangements by Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.