Mary Kathleen “Kae” Edwards, 86, passed away, surrounded by loved ones, at her home in Hickory, North Carolina on Friday March 15th, 2024.

Kae was born in Dubuque, Iowa on April 17, 1937, to Larry and Ann (Norton) Dillon.

She acquired her knowledge and love of caring for others as the second oldest of 10 children in the Dillon family. She graduated from the Academy of the Visitation in Dubuque, IA, then later, as a nontraditional student, obtained her Associate’s Degree in Child Development from MATC in Madison, WI.

Kathleen spent her life in service to others. She was an advocate for the rights of women and children. She established and housed the first licensed foster program in Wisconsin for young pregnant women during and beyond delivery by fighting for and acquiring approval arguing before the Wisconsin State Legislature. But that was just the beginning; 179 children were fostered in her home over a period of 25 years. Marlene, one of her first, remains part of her family today. She was a preschool teacher in HeadStart programs in the state for 16 years, and also served as a public school board member in Washburn and Dane counties for a total of 13 years. Volunteer endeavors included leading Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops when her sons, Pat, Mike, and Dan and daughter, Jean, were members, being a foster grandparent at Northwood School in Minong, WI, and organizing a support group in Stoughton, WI, for families of service members involved with Operation Desert Storm.

Kathleen considered her friends and family to be her greatest accomplishment and fortune. Dearest friends became part of her family including “Daddy” Dick and Mary Lou Fendrick and family of Stoughton, WI, Jim and Beth Block and family of Gordon, WI, Jean Peterson of Stoughton, WI, and Pam Danielsen of Stoughton, WI. Many of Aunt Kae’s nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart, and she loved them like her own. One cannot remember this gypsy soul without delighting in her grand, and sometimes quirky, sense of humor. She gathered our large family for reunions whenever possible, and always made sure we had adventures and fond memories to treasure. Two weeks prior to passing, Mom was reunited with her son, Ron, that she had given up for adoption early in her life. Specifically, as Mom and Grandma, she taught us that loving God and each other, having good character, and providing service to others was the key to a blessed life... we are grateful for the lessons she shared with us.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: Dean Edwards; sisters: Peggy Dillon, Angie Kaune and infant Susan Dillon; brother: Mike Dillon; sister-in-law: Connie Dillon; granddaughter: Amelia Huwe; great-grandson: Watson; and her first husband: Robert "Sully" Sullivan.

Those left to cherish her memory are sons: Pat (Teresa) Sullivan of Bennett, WI, Mike (Marguerite) Sullivan of Hickory, NC, Dan Sullivan of Clinton, IA; daughter: Jean (Jippo) Grenier of Minong, WI; son: Ron Cacioppo of Round Lake Beach, IL; step-daughter: Beth (Dave) Huwe of Monona,WI; step-son: Tim Edwards of Edgerton, WI; foster daughter: Marlene (Jerry) White of Ashland, WI; grandchildren: Amy (Jason) Hill, Katie Sullivan, Marcus (Whitley) Shuford, Karley Sullivan, Michael Sullivan, Anna Miller, Deserae (Luke) Severson, Kelsi Stewart, Shyanne Grenier, Walker Grenier, Theodore Huwe; great-grandchildren: Sully Hill, Cooper Shuford, Miles, Leland, Julian, Chloe, Lane, Claire, Elianna; brothers: Pat (Karen) Dillon of East Dubuque, IL, Jim (Lois) Dillon of Dubuque, IL, Joe (Sue) Dillon of Davenport, IA, Tom (Sue) Dillon of Dubuque, IA, Jerry Dillon of Sarasota, FL; sisters-in-law: Donna Dillon of Dubuque, IA, Mimi Buckardt of Cedar Rapids, IA, Bobbie Sherry of Bradenton, FL; and multiple generations of beloved nieces and nephews throughout the country.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to The Kathleen Edwards Memorial Scholarship, c/o Beth Block, PO Box 72, Gordon, WI 54838, for a fund in Kathleen’s memory that will provide a trade school scholarship for a graduating senior at Northwood School in Minong, WI.

A celebration of life dinner will be held on April 27th, 2024 at Happy's Place in Dubuque, Iowa from 4-8pm for those who would like to share memories of Kathleen with her family.

Condolences may be sent to the Edwards family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com The Edwards family is in the care of Bennett Funeral Service of Newton, 828-465-2111.

Last Update: Mar 26, 2024 4:18 pm CDT