Kathleen VanderWal Kaz

Kathleen "Kathy" Joy Kaz (née VanderWal), 66, of Burnsville MN, passed away on April 25, 2025 at home in the arms of her devoted husband John.
Born on October 1, 1958, in Pipestone, MN to Fred and Henrietta VanderWal, Kathy attended Pipestone Area High School, working at Dairy King and graduating in 1976. After high school, she attended Mankato State University, graduating in 1980 with a degree in Business.
Directly after college graduation, Kathy relocated to Rochester, MN to begin a career at Dayton's Department Store. Dedicated and hardworking, during her four years in Rochester, Kathy was promoted through a variety of positions. Eventually, she was promoted to work at Dayton's corporate office, requiring her relocation to the Twin Cities in 1984. She would remain with the company until 2008. During her time there, she met a diverse group of wonderful people, many of whom became life-long friends.
In 1992, she would meet the love of her life, John Kaz, the man whom she would marry in a beautiful ceremony on September 14, 1996. Kathy and John moved to Burnsville to start their life together.
In 2008, after working for Dayton's - then Macy's - for nearly thirty years, Kathy left her position with the company. Shortly afterward, she partnered with her husband John at his Insurance Agency. Due to their commitment and hard work, the two were nationally recognized within their organization and earned multiple trips, including trips to Italy and Spain. The two worked together until selling their agency and retiring on December 31, 2023.
During their thirty-three years together, John and Kathy enjoyed spending quality time together. Kathy also found joy spending time with her nieces Angela, Cassandra, and Michele. In downtimes, she enjoyed the peacefulness of watching movies, television series and traveling to visit family and friends. Additionally, she supported John's passion for softball, spending many years as John's devoted fan. Kathy also cherished her beloved cat, Hannah.
She was preceded in death by her father, Frederick VanderWal, her mother, Henrietta VanderWal, and her brother Donovan VanderWal. She is survived by her beloved husband John, her sisters Cynthia Prange of Faribault, MN, and Krystal (Bob) Grooters of Raleigh, NC. She is also survived by many loving in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 1 pm at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Road, Edina, MN.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the organizations of your choice.
Washburn - McReavy, Funeral Chapel 952-920-3996