Kathy Lovaas, 74, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital following a 4-year battle with lung cancer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
A time for fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at the parish hall.
Burial will be at All Saints Catholic Cemetery in Andover, SD, following the lunch.
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 7, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, with a liturgical wake at 7:00 p.m.
Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.
Kathy was born July 7, 1950 in Aberdeen, SD; the 8th out of 11 children of Joseph and Edith (Jensen) Dauwen. She was raised in Andover, graduating from Groton High School in 1968. After graduating, she followed her sister Pat to Glendive, MT where she worked at F&G pharmacy for 29 years.
Kathy was united in marriage to Kenneth (Ken) Lovaas in Glendive March 3rd, 1973. From this union two children were born, Paul and Rhonda. Ken passed away March 19th, 1997. Kathy remained in Glendive for another 2 years after Ken’s passing before moving back to South Dakota in 1999 and settling in Aberdeen.
Back in Aberdeen, Kathy worked for Jones Drug as a pharmacy tech for a few years then at State Street Pharmacy for 13 years until she retired in December 2020. During her time as a pharmacy tech she also worked part time as a florist at Kessler’s.
Kathy gained the title of grandma in July 1996 when Alexis (Lexi) was born. Kathy was instrumental in helping Rhonda raise Lexi, taking care of her while Rhonda was simultaneously a full-time student and employee, and the two always shared a special bond. She had 4 more grandchildren throughout the years, Logan, Kenna, Hunter, and Michaela and a bonus grandson, Devin. In 2023 Kathy became a great-grandmother to Ruby DeFea. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy.
Kathy enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, bowling, playing video lottery, and going to bingo with her sisters. There were always card games going on at every family function, whether her family or Ken’s family. Kathy loved when her grandkids started to enjoy playing cards and she could teach them the family favorites, she would just have to clarify if we were playing by South Dakota rules or Montana rules. She was an avid bowler, serving as secretary of the Queen Pins for many years.
She was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic church in both Glendive and Aberdeen. Next to her family, her faith was the most important thing in her life. She was a lifelong member of Catholic Daughters of America, served as a Eucharistic Minister, worked in the food bank, brought communion to the homebound, among many other activities in the church.
Grateful for having shared Kathy’s life are her children: Paul (Angela) Lovaas of Bozeman, MT and Rhonda (Lance) Opitz of Aberdeen, SD. 5 grandchildren: Lexi (Ryan) DeFea, Logan, Kenna, and Hunter Opitz, all of Aberdeen, SD, Micheala De Haan-Lovaas, of Bozeman, MT, and one great-granddaughter Ruby DeFea. Sisters, Lue Nerland and Rose Esparza, one brother, Jim Dauwen, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Edith, her husband Ken; sisters Pat, Dorothy, and Genevieve; and brothers Bob, Lester, Donnie, and DeWayne.
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