Kathryn Voss Vigen

Tuesday, August 23, 2022 3:38 am

The vivacious Kathryn Louise Voss Vigen was born Sept. 24, 1934 to her beloved parents in Lakefield, Minn.

Growing up, she loved singing in duets and trios with her older sister Shirley, playing cards and being at the cabin on Spirit Lake. She had a beautiful alto voice and could harmonize at the drop of a hat. She loved to entertain and threw great parties. She was a treasured friend of many. She was graceful, stylish and rarely took a bad photo.When she was 4 years old, her dog was hit by a car and Kate tended to her. From then on, she knew she would become a nurse. Her strong faith in God was the foundation upon which she built her life. She knew her life had a purpose and strove to live her calling fully.Kathryn graduated magna cum laude from St. Olaf College in 1956, a member of the very first baccalaureate nursing class. She married David Vigen that summer. She worked night shifts as a nurse and prepared to be a pastor’s wife while he attended seminary.

In 1970, she discovered her love of teaching at the Sioux Falls School of Practical Nursing, later becoming Assistant Director. Kathryn navigated many challenges, including a divorce, pursuing graduate education as a single mom and moving 17 times. Despite daunting obstacles such as these, Kathryn was a pioneer in nursing education.At age 46, she was recruited to start a nursing program in Huron, SD from the ground up. She was a recipient of the prestigious Bush Fellowship Award in 1979. Ultimately, she earned two Masters and a Ph.D. She was the first nurse in the U.S. to be awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1991, which enabled her to teach and mentor students in Malta and to make many lifelong friendships there. She received the Rozella Scholtfeldt Leadership Award from the Midwest Alliance in Nursing in 1993.

In 2003, Kathryn was honored with the St. Olaf Distinguished Alumni/ae Award. She chaired or was a member of the faculty at Huron College, Luther College, Graceland University and Northpark University.Throughout her life, even as it waned, Kathryn mentored and inspired students and nurses to reach their vocational goals. She was determined to develop the profession of nursing and increase its leadership capacities. She also believed strongly in civic engagement and urged everyone to vote and participate actively in our democracy. Along with nursing, her greatest passion was her family. She was a “hands on” mom and grandparent.

She supported her three children to complete not only college, but graduate school. And she was utterly delighted in her grandchildren–making tea rings galore and playing with them at every opportunity. As they grew, she actively encouraged and supported their passions.

The indomitable Kathryn passed on peacefully on Aug. 12, 2022 with her daughters at her side singing to her and blessing her on her way.

She is predeceased by parents, Bertha Conradine Richter Voss and Edward Stanley Voss, by her sister Shirley Jovaag and by her faithful companion in later years, Bob Jones. She is survived by three children: Eric Edward Vigen, Amy Louise Hemstad (Burton Schwartz), Aana Marie Vigen (Alison Strickler); by four grandchildren: Sean Michael Hemstad, Christopher James Hemstad (Laura), Sarah Kathryn Hemstad, Benjamin Gabriel Vigen Strickler; by nieces and nephew Kathryn West (Casey), Brad Jovaag (Pam) and Joy Alvares.

Most of all, she leaves a throng of smart, courageous nursing leaders who are the backbone of U.S. healthcare.A funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1218 W. Addison, Chicago, IL 60613 on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 4 p.m. It will be livestreamed and posted on YouTube.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to the Department of Nursing, the L-Università ta’ Malta (send your contribution to Amy Hemstad who will make one collective gift); St. Olaf Nursing Student Fund (select “other” and specify that it is for nursing students); Holy Trinity Lutheran Church; or to First Lutheran Church. With any gift, please indicate in memory of Kathryn L. Voss Vigen.