Kathryn Lundin Uken

November 28, 1928 ~ January 25, 2015 Kathryn Ann Lundin Uken passed away on January 25, 2015, after her battle with cancer. Kathryn was born on the family homestead west of Springfield, South Dakota, to James Mathias Lundin and Cornelia Jenny DeRoos on November 28, 1928. She grew up on the family homestead as the oldest of six children and graduated from Springfield High School in 1947. She married Helmuth (Ken) Uken on June 15, 1947. Kathryn attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, and taught in Geddes, South Dakota, until she moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where she worked at the National Scientific Laboratory. Kathryn moved her family 21 times in 17 years after Ken was recalled to Air Force Active Duty at the beginning of the Korean War. A few of the many moves she made with her family were to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and to Rhein Main Air Force Base in West Germany. The last military move was to the ROTC Detachment at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. In the mid 60’s, Kathryn found herself raising four children as a single parent and furthered her education by obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and then a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling at South Dakota State University. She then taught and counseled at Brookings elementary schools for several years before pursuing a career in real estate. Kathryn moved to Arvada, Colorado, in 1982, and worked as a realtor until her retirement in 2009. Kathryn was a talented pianist who played at countless events and was a member of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Kathryn played in the Bell Choir at Holy Cross for many years. She also served in Reach to Recovery to support those diagnosed with breast cancer and also served in the Stephen Ministry, a one-to-one lay caring ministry for people who are hurting. Kathryn's passions in life were her family, music, world travel, her church, and helping others. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, James and Cornelia Lundin, and infant son Joseph. She is survived by her children James Uken (wife - Marilyn) of Glendale, Arizona; Karen Michiels (husband - Tim) of Loveland, Colorado; Wanda Hawes (husband - Jon) of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Eric Uken of Arvada, Colorado; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and siblings Perry Lundin, Mary Nygaard, John Lundin, Janice Crea, and Connie Dresbach. A memorial service will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 4500 Wadsworth Blvd., Wheat Ridge, CO, on Wednesday, February 4, at 11 a.m., with a reception immediately following. A memorial service is also scheduled to be held at the Norwegian Cemetery on Memorial Day weekend at the family homestead near Springfield, South Dakota. If you would like to make a donation in Kathryn’s memory, please consider the American Cancer Society. Donations can be made out to the American Cancer Society and mailed to Eric Uken, 8465 C Everett Way, Arvada, CO 80005.