Kathleen Louise Nelson

Dr. Kathleen Nelson of Dewey, Arizona, formerly of Duluth and Ely Minnesota, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on July 31, 2025. Kathy died in her beautiful home with her husband Michael by her side. After their careers in northeastern Minnesota, they moved to the mountains of central Arizona where Kathy often expressed great pleasure living amidst the beauty of the Southwest landscape.

Kathy was born on March 31, 1951, to James and Mary Knight in St. Paul, Minnesota. Michael and Kathy were married on 20 March 1971.

Kathy earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas, an M.A. in Educational Psychology/Counseling from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in Speech Communication/Theater Arts and English Education from Hamline University.

Kathy served in senior leadership positions in higher education community and technical colleges for most of her 40-year higher education career. Following her retirement in Minnesota as the President of Lake Superior College in Duluth, she consulted with the Higher Learning Commission on accreditation issues within their nineteen state region of higher education oversight. In 2019 and 2021 she served as the Interim President at Glenville State University and Pierpont Community and Technical College in West Virginia. At her Arizona home, she brought her organizational skills to provide sustainable food needs of families and individuals.

Kathy's career included secondary and post-secondary instruction, counseling and administration in student services and academic affairs. Her career included serving in roles as Vice President of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce; membership on the Lake Superior Community Health Center Board; founding directorship on the region's economic development organization, APEX; membership on the St. Luke's Hospital Board of Directors.. She was recognized twice by the Minnesota statewide college student association as their "President of the Year", received the Sam Solon Lifetime Legislative Service award from community leaders and received recognition as one of the region's "Women in Leadership" award winners.



Never one to sit still, Kathy was a gifted mini cross-stitcher, a beautiful writer, and a consummate road tripper. She loved hot chocolate, hand thrown dishes, and decorating her beautiful home - from her extensive Christmas village to the many moose and antiques on display.

Kathy is survived by her husband Michael, daughter Megan of Duluth, son Jessie of Dewey Arizona, her sister Deborah Knight of Orlando, Florida, and her brother, David Knight of Rochester, Minnesota.

To honor Kathy, please consider donating to the presidential scholarship fund at Lake Superior College, Duluth MN, Children's Home Society of Minnesota, St. Paul MN, or contributing in her memory to the charity of your choice. And remember Kathy by living her values: trust, compassion, integrity, and respect.