Obituary of Katherine Heffelfinger

Katherine “Katy/Kate” Heffelfinger perished (her word choice!) on July 3, 2020, just hours short of her 70^th birthday, in the presence of her wife, Jackie Disch. She will forever remain 69.

Katy was born in Duluth on 7/4/1950 to F.P. “Pete” Heffelfinger and Katherine “Posy” Gray. She graduated from Northrop Collegiate (now part of Blake School) in 1968. Later in life, Katy returned to school and earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1990 and an MA in Counseling Psychology from St. Mary’s University in 1993.

Katy was a licensed psychologist in private practice for over 25 years in the Minneapolis area. Her compassionate, kind, and open-hearted nature made it easy for Katy to offer help to anyone in need – be it family, friend, client, or stranger.

Growing up, Katy traveled often with her family to places near and far. As a young mother, she lived in many different states, until finally settling back home in Minnesota in the early 1980’s.

For the past 23 years (the last six being legally married), Katy created a beautiful, loving life with her wife, Jackie. Over their years together they enjoyed walking the nearby lakes, relaxing on the North Shore, snorkeling in Hawaii, zip lining for the first time in Mexico (Katy was 62 at the time), watching movies, and reading.

Deep belly laughter was a common occurrence in their relationship. At times mischievous, often curious, yet immensely private, Katy was a connoisseur of life’s simple pleasures. Much time in recent years was spent just sitting on their front porch in the evening or on weekends, enjoying each other’s company.

Profoundly loved and fiercely missed, Katy is survived by wife, Jackie; sons: Christopher (Brandy) Laursen and Nathan Blake (Kelly) Laursen; two incredible grandchildren: JP and Lucia Laursen, whom she loved very much and always will; sisters Elizabeth (Richard Peisinger) Heffelfinger, Shanly (John) Weber and step-sister Susan (Gregg) Gamble; her amazing nieces and nephew: Megan, Duncan, Chloe, Tonya and Sarah. In addition to her Disch family in-laws, Katy is also survived by many other relatives, friends, colleagues, and her very dear clients.

Preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Posy, and her stepfather, Russel Ewald.

The family wishes to thank the Fairview Hospice staff, especially Dayna, who understood Katy’s needs so well. Please consider donations to help support this important program.

Special thanks to Katy’s cousin Reed Heffelfinger, who stepped up in the beginning and was there through the end; and to Katy’s brother-in-law Mike Disch, who dropped everything upon Katy’s request in order to be there and help care for her during her final days.

The family requests no flowers. Instead, consider donating to the World Wildlife Fund (worldwildlife.org) to support Katy’s affinity with the elephants in Africa, her love of the world’s oceans and coral reefs, and her overall concern for the well-being of our planet.

A private memorial service will be held at a future date.

Jackie encourages anyone whose life was touched by Katy to hold their own memorial/celebration of her, alone or with your own friends and family.

May your grief be gentle, and your memories filled with joy. And when you see a rainbow or hear a gentle thunderstorm, that’s only Katy saying she is okay.