Kathleen Chafos, 63, Rochester

Published 9:13 am Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Funeral services for the former Rochester business owner of Kathy’s Pub, Kathleen (Kathy) M. Chafos, 63, of Rochester, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Kathleen Chafos

Kathleen Mary Dyson was born on Sept. 13, 1949, in Minneapolis to Allan and Donna (Walsh) Dyson. She died on Feb. 10, 2013, at home from complications of cancer treatment after a three-year battle with the disease.

She went to Our Lady Queen of Peace Elementary School in Madison, Wis., and St. Margaret’s Academy High School in Minneapolis. She attended the College of St. Theresa in Winona for nursing. She obtained her nursing degree from Austin Community College. She married Daniel Dittrich and later divorced. She later married Gus Chafos on Dec. 31, 1995, in Rochester.

Kathleen worked at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, the Vernon Company as a sales representative and Sara Lee Corporation as a L’eggs pantyhose distributor where she was known as the L’eggs Lady throughout southern Minnesota. She also was manager and co-owner of Kathy’s Pub in Rochester.

She was a past president of Albert Lea Does Club, and a member of the Rochester American Legion Post 92 Auxiliary. She was a Minnesota State Fair cross stitching champion and continued cross stitching throughout her life even when not feeling well and in the hospital providing her cross stitched art to her many family and friends. She enjoyed bowling, bingo, darts, her cats and crossword puzzles in ink. She was an avid Minnesota sports fan, especially the Twins. She was a strong supporter of her kids’ activities, from being a coach, manager and a loud spectator. Kathleen was a proud advocate of the United States military.

Survivors include her husband, Gus Chafos of Rochester; her sons, Steven M. Dittrich (Andrea) of Rochester and Allan D. Dittrich (Tracey) of Champlin; her son-in-laws, Col. Timothy A. Chafos (Cheryl) of Fort Mead, Md., Matthew A. Chafos (Jennifer) of Owatonna, Samuel A. Chafos (Chad) of Minneapolis; her grandchildren, Jasmine Dittrich, Alexander, Benjamin and Elizabeth Dittrich; Andrew, Zachary, Anthony Chafos and Micah Chafos; sisters, Patricia Gagnon of Apple Valley and Donna Dyson of Prior Lake; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her aunt, Betty Kellar.

Memorials can be directed to the Wounded Warrior Program.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W. in Rochester is in charge of the arrangements. They can be reached at 507-289-3600 or www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.