Kathryn Hunt Mortenson

"Kate" Age 37 Died peacefully at her home August 23, surrounded by her family and friends. She was known to everyone as Kate, the person who was always there with a smile and a word of encouragement. Strangers took to her. Friends leaned on her. Coworkers confided in her. Her family adored her. Yet nothing made her shine as much as the love she had for her husband, Brett, and 5-year-old son, Grant. Brett, Kate and Grant shared the kind of life and love usually reserved for storybooks. Kate spent four-plus years battling a very rare cancer, teaching everyone who met her, including hardened oncologists, what it means to never let illness rob you of your passion for life. The cancer would eventually take over her body, but never her mind. Kate shared her battle through CaringBridge that drew many hundreds of people to her story. Many who never even met her, followed her story (and her lessons) daily. Her mantra was simple and direct: "show up," be there for others. In the end, others were there for her. On the day she died, her website (www.caringbridge.org/mn/katehuntmortenson/index.htm) received its 500,000th hit. Kate was born in Brainerd on March 2, 1972, attended high school in Moorhead (1990), and graduated from the College of St. Benedicts (1994). She was proud of her work at Merrick Food Shelf, as feeding the hungry was her passion. She also worked for ADP for 8 years, rising to serve as sales director. She left the profession to start a family and begin a new journey in her life. That journey took a twist with the diagnosis of cancer, but was never derailed. Every day she fought to "show up" for her son, her family, and her friends. Kate is survived by husband Brett Mortenson, son Grant, her mother Jeanne Hunt of Nisswa, and her seven siblings and their families: Steve and Sandy Hunt of Burnsville; Thom Hunt and Kathy Ingbritsen of Viroqua, Wisc.; Paul and Lynn Hunt of Pine River; Neil Hunt and Tori Heide of Nisswa; Maria and Tim O'Phelan of St. Paul; Joe Hunt and Julia Sopalski of Oak Harbor, Washington; and Sarah Hunt and Kurt Liebert of Seattle. She has 16 nieces and nephews. Kate also loved and was loved by the Mortenson family: parents David and Barbara Mortenson, and siblings Andrea Mortenson and Nate and Heather Mortenson.Preceding her in death were her father, Norman Hunt; nephew Kyle Hunt, and niece Hannah Hunt. Visitation will be Wednesday, 4-8 PM at Washburn-McReavy, 2300 W. Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington. Visitation will also be held at the church one hour prior to the funeral. The funeral will be Thursday, 1 PM at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave. S, Mpls. Please bring canned or boxed goods to the visitation or service for donation to Second Harvest food shelf. In lieu of flowers, donations for Grant's education or Second Harvest will be accepted.

Tributes

Kathryn Hunt Mortenson

August 25, 2009

Tributes

Kathryn Hunt Mortenson

August 25, 2009

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