Kathleen Reddy

Kathleen D. Reddy, 89, of Breckenridge, Minnesota, passed away Monday, January 29,2024, at her residence surrounded by her loving family under the care of CHI Hospice.  Her Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Monday, February 5, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Breckenridge.  There will be a visitation one hour prior.  Father Leo Moenkedik will officiate the service.  Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Breckenridge.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, Minnesota.

 Kathleen Donna Whaley was born July 30, 1934, in Wheaton, Minnesota.  She was the only daughter of Earl and Jane (Wood) Whaley.  She had 3 older brothers, and was affectionately known as “Babe”.   She grew up on a farm, working hard as she helped her mother, and cared for her brothers.  She attended country school southwest of Wheaton.  

On January 10, 1951, she married Edward Reddy at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton, MN.  She and Ed were married for 68 years until his passing in 2019.  The couple was blessed with 6 children.  She was a wonderful mother and was known for her excellent cooking and baking.  She canned fruit, made the best sweet pickles, baked bread, and made dozens of cookies for all of those hungry kids.  She was employed outside the home at various jobs over the years- a waitress at Kelly’s Diner, Nursing Assistant at St. Francis Home, clerk at Rexall Drug, home daycare, and would end her working career at Imation (3M).  

It was not all work for Kathleen as she and Ed enjoyed dancing at the Pavilion and Wahpeton Eagle’s Club. The couple also enjoyed their time at Pickeral Lake, where she would enjoy the beauty of her flower garden there and at home.  She and Ed also liked to travel.  Kathleen relished trips to see family in Washington State, and her children in Massachusetts and California.  She and Ed wintered in Tucson, Arizona for several years, but she didn’t like to be away from her children and grandchildren for so long.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always welcome on her lap or sitting close so they could receive her love and affection.  In her later years, she was fondly known as “Base Station”.  Her children and grandchildren would call to visit, and she would relay this information to all other family members that would call.   She embraced technology through her “GrandPad”, which she thoroughly enjoyed to view photos, videos, and receive text messages.  

Kathleen was strong in her faith, and was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge, MN, for 64 years.

Kathleen is survived by her children, Helen Reddy, Linda Reddy, Carol Reddy (Lily Olpindo), Thomas (Darlene) Reddy, and Mary (Jeff) Muehler; grandchildren, Anitra Ford, Chad Reddy, Melissa McManus, Sean Reddy, Nicole Reddy, Sierra Rettig, and Jennifer Reddy; great-grandchildren, Mckenna, Kenny, Brayden, Raina, Finn, and Sofia; and a daughter-in-law, Judy Reddy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Reddy; son, Donald Reddy; parents, Earl and Jane Whaley; and brothers, Irvon, Arthur, and James Whaley.