Kathryn ìKatieî Taylor

Kathryn Elizabeth ìKatieî Taylor, 88, of North Branch, passed away Saturday, Dec. 7 at Green Acres County Care Center in North Branch, Minn.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 10 at St. Gregoryís Catholic Church in North Branch. Interment was at St. Josephís Cemetery, North Branch.
Katie was born Sept. 27, 1914 in Sugar Grove, Fairfield County, Ohio, to Frank and Florence (Decker) Hoppe.
When Katie was six the family moved by train and wagon to Bois Forte, Minn., where they established a homestead. At 16 her family moved to St. Louis Park, Minn. where Katie graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1932.
Katie was united in marriage to Donald F. Taylor on July 11, 1935 in Minneapolis, Minn. After her marriage they lived in Minneapolis and Mound, Minn. Don and Katie moved to their property between Rush City and Harris in 1972. There they built their home and established a wildlife sanctuary. Katie moved into North Branch in 1996.
Katieís first job was with Strutwear, later known as Munsingwear, where she sewed lingerie. She was employed their until her marriage. During World War II her ìcalculator mindî was put to good use in the bookkeeping department of Honeywell. After the war she went to work for Walker Girls, as a temp. Several of these temporary jobs turned into permanent when her employers found her math skills were faster than the machine of the day. After her retirement Katie did bookkeeping for her church and small businesses in Rush City.
Katieís smiling face and willingness to help made her an outstanding volunteer with various Chisago County Senior organizations. She was honored in 1989 by Gov. Rudy Perpich by being named Chisago County Outstanding Senior.
Katieís skill with a needle in embroidery and shuttle in tatting has left her family with many remembrances. Any occasion, including her own wedding, sent her to her sewing machine to make a new dress. She loved to sing and dance. From her church choir to a sing-along Katieís clear voice rang out, and she knew all the words. Old Time polkas, schottisches, mazurkas, or a waltz got her feet going.
Katieís love of dogs, big dogs, was a lifetime affair. From ìShepî on the homestead to ìLassie,î you seldom found Katie without her faithful companions. From her canaries, all named ìSkipper,î to the cardinals, wood ducks, Canadian geese and other birds she watched at the feeders and ponds surrounding her home, Katie was at home with wildlife.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald in 1996, and a great-grandson Zachary.
Katie is survived by her five generation family: daughters Patricia Taylor, Finland, Minn., Roberta (Willard) Beanchaine, Elk River, Minn.; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren; brother Fred (Bertha) Hoppe, Minnetonka, Minn; brother-in-law Robert Taylor, Hayward, Calif.; several nieces and nephews and many caring friends.

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