Kathryn Ann Szymanski, 63, of Wells died peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, at her home in Wells. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m.  Monday at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. The Revs. Matt Fasnacht and Tom Niehaus will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells with a rosary service at 5 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church Monday. Interment will be at a later date at All Saints Catholic Cemetery in New Richland. To leave an online condolence, visit www.brussheitner.com. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Kathy was born Dec. 23, 1954, in St. Paul, the daughter of Jay and Loretta Brooks. Kathy was united in marriage to John Szymanski on Sept. 24, 1976. Her faith was the fiber with which she wove the tapestry of her life. She showed her devotion to her faith by cultivating a Christian home via homeschooling, organic cooking and gardening.

She authored a fiction book, “Take My Hand,” featuring Christian family values. She and her family lived in Venezuela caring for orphans in a Christian home for a while. In 2011 she completed a marathon in Hawaii. When illness took away her speech, she focused her energies on the Catholic Moms website. In summary, Kathy devoted her life to the application of family Christian values.

She was preceded in death by her parents; children Christopher, Gabriel, Theresa and Thomas; brothers Patrick Brooks and Colin Brooks; and in-laws Kay and John Szymanski.

Kathryn is survived by her loving husband, John; children John (Heather) of Lafayette, Indiana, Mark (Kammi) of Owatonna, Mary (Eric) Mickleson of Albert Lea, Michael Szymanski of Albert Lea, Peter (Emily) Szymanski of Albert Lea, Anne (Elijah) Lippert of Mapleton and Rosemary Szymanski of Wells; grandchildren Elizabeth, Rachel, Makaila, Henry, Merick, Rebecca and Solomon; sister, Elizabeth Brooks, of Loveland, Colorado; and brothers Marvin Brooks and family of Edina and Jay Brooks of Palm Springs, California.