Kathy Ann Opelt, age 58, of Brooten, MN, died Friday, January 15, 2016, at her home under the care of Glacial Ridge Hospice.  A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, January 19th, at Big Grove Lutheran Church in Belgrade.  Visitation will be at the church, one hour prior to the service.  Inurnment in Big Grove Lutheran Cemetery will take place in the spring.  Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Brooten.

Kathy Ann Yungerberg , daughter of David and Ardith (Tindeland) Yungerberg, was born on July 18, 1957, in Springfield, MN.  When she was young her family lived in Springfield and she attended school there through the 3 ^rd grade, at which time the family moved to Brooten, where she graduated from Brooten High School in 1975.

On August 20, 1977, she was united in marriage to Gary M. Swanson.  The two made their home in Pennock, MN, and to this union two children were born, Michael and Cassandra.  The couple later divorced and Kathy went on to further her education at Willmar Vo-tech, where she met Bradley W. Opelt.  The two were married on April 27, 1985.  They continued to reside in Pennock and their marriage was blessed with two children, Joshua and Calliandra. Kathy and Bradley later divorced.  Over the years Kathy worked at Jennie-O and for Presbyterian Family Foundation group homes in the Willmar area.  After moving from Pennock, Kathy lived in the New London-Spicer area until 2000, when she returned to Brooten, where she resided until the time of her death.

Kathy was a member of Big Grove Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir.  She also enjoyed attending plays and fun concerts, including Heart and Pat Benatar.  Her hobbies included crafting, photography, reading and caring for her pets.   She loved watching and cheering for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, as well as an occasional trip to Red Lobster for her favorite food.  Before she became ill, she enjoyed motorcycling and traveled to Norway and Alaska.

Kathy suffered with COPD and declining health for a number of years.  She died at her home in rural Brooten under the care of Glacial Ridge Hospice on January 15, 2016.  Blessed be her memory.

Kathy is survived by her mother, Ardith Yungerberg of Cyrus, MN; her four children, Michael (Marcia) Swanson of Willmar, MN, Cassandra Swanson of Willmar, MN, Joshua Opelt of Granton, WI, and Calliandra (Danny) Beckstead of Eau Claire, WI;  8 grandchildren,  Drevan, Kendrick, Makayla, Mason, and Mattix Swanson, and Noah, Brayden, and Medow Beckstead; as well as a sister, Karee Hammond of Villard, MN, and a brother, Mark (Liane) Yungerberg of Willmar, MN.

She was preceded in death by her father, David Yungerberg.