Katherine R. Strickland, age 40, of Waverly, MN passed away at Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis on December 26, 2025.  Katherine Rose Ideker McKenzie was born April 11, 1985 in Edina, MN to Scot and Mary (Ideker) McKenzie who cherished her.  Katie took violin and dance lessons.  She collected Barbies, Beanie Babies, fairies and hourglasses and saved every card she ever received.  She was as fascinated with the imaginary worlds of science fiction as she was with the natural world and all its varities of plants, mushrooms, rocks, and seashells.  She photographed sunsets and the northern lights.  She created unique beaded jewelry, meticulous cross-stich, and colorful paintings.  Katie was a jigsaw puzzle warrior and Lego master builder.

Katie attended Edina public schools and Mound-Westonka High School before earning a degree in anthropology at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.  Katie was employed at CenterPoint energy for eighteen years, finishing as Lead Material Service Representative.  She was a problem solver, fair to co-workers and loyal to the company.  Katie told doctors and nurses that she wanted to continue her job responsibilities from the ICU!

Katie developed type 1 diabetes at age twelve.  She made life-long friendships as a camper and counselor at Camp Needlepoint in Hudson, WI. She used vacation time to encourage children with diabetes.  It was at camp that she met her future husband, Ezra Strickland.  They married in 2013 at Noerenberg Gardens in Wayzata, MN.  Katie and Ezra enjoyed the Twins baseball, traveling, camping, off-roading and gathering with the family, friends, and neighbors.  Katie loved TOMATOES! She grew tomatoes, ate tomatoes, drank tomato water, and canned salsa, which she generously shared.  She decorated for the holidays and delighted in searching the year through for perfect personalized presents.  She never forgot holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, and always tried to make them special for those she loved.  When Katie entered the hospital on December 8, she had all her Christmas gifts wrapped and under the tree.

Preceded in death by her beloved grandparents Martin and Doris Ideker and Fred and Bettie McKenzie and father-in-law Robert Strickland.  Survived by her husband, parents, mother-in-law, many aunts and uncles, cousins, brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and friends who will miss her quiet beauty, courage and compassion.

A celebration of Katie's life will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Cremation Society of MN-Edina, 7110 France Avenue South.  Visitation at eleven, service at noon, reception follows until five.  Private inurnment at a future date.

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you beleive, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart....I'll always be with you" (Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh)