Kathleen Mary Hoelz
Kathleen Mary Hoelz, age 83 of Belle Plaine, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Praha Village in New Prague, surrounded by family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Fr. Michael Kaluza will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday, June 6th from 4 -7 p.m. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and continue one hour prior to the Mass at church on Friday morning. Interment will be held at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Belle Plaine, followed by a lunch in the church social hall.
Kathe was born on May 25, 1941, in New Prague to Gordon and Lorraine (Lukes) Sykora. She grew up in New Prague and attended Saint Wenceslaus Catholic School until grade 7. The family then moved to Richfield where Kathe later graduated from Richfield High School. She chose to further her education by attending two years of college at Saint Mary’s Nursing School in St. Paul. In the summer of 1961, on a night out dancing with her friends at the Scott County Fair, she would meet the love of her life, George Hoelz. Soon after George and Kathe were married on March 3, 1962, at Assumption Catholic Church in Richfield, MN. The couple made their forever home in Belle Plaine, MN where they raised their four children. Nothing made her happier and more fulfilled than being at home raising her children. Once they reached school age, she began her 27-year career working with ECFE and Kid’s Company located in Belle Plaine. Kathe had a love for arts and crafts, as well as knitting, crocheting, sewing, creating handmade Christmas tree ornaments, gardening, bird watching, singing, and whistling. She also was an avid reader, crossword enthusiast, and journaled every day. Anyone who met Kathe was drawn to her infectious love for games and it wasn’t long before they would be playing a game with her. But what brought the most joy to her heart was spending time teaching and playing games with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never left home without a bag full of her favorite games that always included Cribbage, Rummikube, UNO, Phase 10, Five Crowns, and a few decks of cards. Kathe had a very strong Catholic faith, attended mass regularly, and never let a day go by without praying the rosary. She was very involved in her church and made it a point to instill the importance of a strong faith in her children as well. Both Kathe’s and her siblings interest in genealogy and their Czech heritage led to several trips to the Czech Republic to visit relatives as well as a summer west coast road trip. She never passed up an opportunity to visit her sons in Colorado or vacation with family in Florida. She was never one to sit still and enjoyed being on the go. It was important to her to attend every family function and gathering that she was able to. A little-known interest was her fondness for thrifting at Good Will stores. She had an eye for finding her loved ones just the right treasure. However, spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren brought her the greatest joy of all.
She is survived by her children; George H. V “Butch” (Angela) Hoelz of Castle Rock, CO; Veronica (Clint) Harkins of Le Center, MN; Thomas Hoelz of New Prague, MN, and Mary (Phillip) Graue of Northfield, MN. Her 10 grandchildren Dustin, George H. VI “Collin”, Elise, Brady, Patrick, Emily, Kaylee, Noah, Austin, and Brady. Her 6 great-grandchildren Hailey, Jacob, Sawyer, Maverick, George H. VII “Davis”, Walker, and one great-granddaughter due in July. Her one great-great-granddaughter also due in July. Geraldine “Jerre” Richter, John “Jack” (Patricia) Sykora, and Mary Hart.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband George, and infant son (Thomas Gordon).
