Catherine Marie Denzer

Our beloved mother, Catherine “Katie” Denzer, passed away peacefully at Cherrywood Assisted Living in Big Lake on September 14, 2026 with family by her side. Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 10:30 A.M, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Le Sueur. Visitation one hour prior to the Mass. Interment in Calvary Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at St. Anne’s School. Memorials are preferred to St. Anne’s School.

Born on February 10, 1930 at the family farm in St. Thomas, Minnesota to Joseph and Mary (Gostomczek) Miska. She attended St. Thomas country school and graduated from New Prague High School. She was united in marriage to LeRoy Denzer on October 22, 1949 in Lexington, Minnesota, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage until LeRoy’s passing in June 2000.

Her greatest joy was raising her five children and spending time with grandchildren over the years. She lived some adventures while making moves from Minnesota after marriage with LeRoy to Washington state and Anchorage, Alaska (endured the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake) and later back to Minnesota. She embraced these memories and loved settling back home in LeSueur, MN for many years. They owned and operated the Northward Inn Supper Club.

There’s so much to our mother’s 96 years of life, but to briefly capture it, she was a loving and kind person, who had a sense of humor and maintained her sharp mind through her 96 years. She was a wonderful cook, talented seamstress, and faithful servant to the Lord, faithfully praying the rosary every day. Katie enjoyed several cruises and delighted in family get togethers in Florida, Colorado and Minnesota. She was a dedicated homemaker and also worked a job until age 70 as she liked to keep busy. Katie took pleasure in baking, gardening, watching hummingbirds at her feeder, playing card games with friends, watching Twins games, and Wheel of Fortune. She was a happy person, loved well, and was loved by many.

Katie is survived by children, Yvette (Chuck) Bauer, Brenda (Darrell) Thatcher, Philip (Miken) Denzer, LeAnne (Dennis) Baldwin and Maureen (Chris) McAllister; grandchildren, Zach and Wes (Beth) Johnson, Julie (Ryan) Ritter, Clinton Baldwin, Katie Baldwin (Jon Kumrow), Christopher (Miku) Baldwin, Sean McAllister, Jamie (Michael) Moss and Bridget Denzer; great grandchildren, Kallen, Hadley, Reegan, Jaylyn and Katrina Johnson, Cameron Ritter and Arashi Baldwin. Also survived by sister, Monica Miller, and brother, Anthony Miska, and several wonderful nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband LeRoy, brothers, Joe, Stan and Jack Miska, sisters, Theresa Battisti and Rose Franta, and son in law, Gregory Johnson.

We wish to thank the loving care provided by Cherrywood Assisted Living and St. Croix Hospice.