On December 1, 2020, eighteen months after a cancer diagnosis, Katie George's soul left this world to meander with the bear spirits in the northwoods.

She was born Katherine Ann to Leo Phillip And Eileen Ursula (Thissen) Arnoldt in Waseca, MN in 1947. She graduated from high school in Janesville, MN and received a bachelor's degree in physical education and recreation from Mankato State University and later, in her 30s, a master's degree in gerontology. Katie married Steve George on her 23rd birthday, had five children and was married for fifty years. Katie's many talents led to a diverse range of careers: artist, florist, entrepreneur, teacher, director of religious education at St. Dominic church in Northfield and director of the senior centers in Northfield, Faribault and Burnsville, MN. In their retirement Katie (grandma Te Te) and Steve (grandpa Bump) built a home on a lake outside of Hayward,WI where they created a magical haven dedicated to fun and foolishness--Camp Blueberry--for their eight grandchildren. Katie was relentlessly resourceful and perhaps frugal to a fault, (cobbling together with hot glue and duct tape items that most would have thrown in the garbage), yet she was recklessly generous when it came to spoiling the ones she loved (namely her grandchildren). In retirement Katie also started a thriving art business, Silver Birch Art, in which she sold her original watercolor paintings and whimsical wood carvings. Infinitely inspired and with boundless energy, Katie invested wholly in numerous passions: her family and friends, progressive politics, clowning (as her colorful alter-ego, Zippy), volunteer work with the Chequamegon Lions and creative endeavors of all kinds.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Molly, her beloved first grandchild, Cap, her parents and her siblings Maureen, Fred and Phil.

She will be greatly missed by her husband, her siblings Elizabeth and David Arnoldt, multiple nieces and nephews, her children Chris (Stephanie) George, David (Tonya) George, Amy (Ryan) Olson, Julie (Sara Erickson) George and especially by her grandchildren Cooper and Cullen George, Mason and Isla George, and Nils, Eden and Aron Olson.

No services are planned at this time, but her family will hold a celebration of her life when it is once again safe to gather. In lieu of flowers or hotdishes, please consider donating to your local food shelf or to Katie's favorite nonprofit, Capstrong, at CapGeorge.com.

Last Update: Dec 03, 2020 7:22 am CST