Obituary of Katherine Hilda Stariha

Katherine Hilda (Mednansky) Stariha, 62, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 27, 2025 with family at her side. 

Kathy was born on December 28, 1962 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and lived in numerous locations as an Airforce brat growing up. Kathy returned to Minnesota attending junior high school in Mcgregor and completing her high school years in Barnum, Minnesota in 1981. She graduated from Cosmotology school in Minneapolis, lived for a time in Superior, WI, where she met and married Philip Stariha, returning to the Mcgregor area in 1994 where she had her home built on Lake Minnewawa. 

As a young person Kathy enjoyed sports, excelling in track and volleyball. She also enjoyed horseback riding, owning two horses, Sunrise and Katie. She was talented as an artist and singer, enjoying a round of karaoke at times. After moving back to Mcgregor she loved raising numerous dogs, Bob and Ricky being with her at the end. 

Kathy worked several jobs over the years until she found her true niche working in Real Estate for close to 30 years. She worked at Aspen Realty in Mcgregor with her good buddy Shawn Hoover over the last 13 years, making many friends in the community as she helped people find their perfect home.
Kathy is survived by her mother Sigrid Minkkinen, sister Marlene Mednansky, and big brother Eddy (Patty) Mednansky. Her very special nephew, Michael Mednansky,  nieces and nephews, Rochelle Mednansky, Amanda (Kurt) Cummins, Angela (Ben) Odean, Peter (Natalee) Mednansky, and Emily (Charlie) Oys. Great nieces and nephews, Gage and Gabby Cummins, Kali and Izzy Mednansky, Jude and Addi Odean, and Lila Lou Oys. And great, great, nephew, Zymir Morris.

She was preceeded in death by her father, Edward Mednansky, niece, Karina Mednansky, and step-father, John Minkkinen.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 1pm at the Mcgregor Community Center.