Kathy I. Gerken

Britton, SD: The visitation service for Kathy Gerken will be 4:00-6:00 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2025 at Olson Funeral Chapel in Britton, concluding with a 6:00 p.m. prayer service. Kathy Irene Severson was born March 23, 1957 to Floyd and Margaret (Baker) Severson. She attended grade school in Amherst, SD and then high school in Britton. She later earned her GED. In 1975 she was married and welcomed her first daughter, Christina. They remained in Britton while Kathy began working at the family grocery store and other various part time jobs in the area. In 1978 she had her second daughter, Rebecca and two years later, in 1980 she had her third daughter, Angela. She worked for a few years in Sisseton and later waitressed at Cattleman's and the VFW in Britton. In the late 1980s she began dating Randy Thayer, and they remained together until her passing. Kathy enjoyed fishing in her younger years. She loved to garden and always had beautiful flowers surrounding her and Randy's home. Throughout the years she liked going to craft shows and doing crafts herself. Most of all Kathy loved spending time with her daughters and their families. She enjoyed going on drives, especially the drives to her grandpuppy in Blunt who was always ready to see her. In her free time she could be found on her phone, making phones calls or just scrolling. Kathy passed away Monday, June 30, 2025 at Marshall County Healthcare Center, at the age of 68. She is survived by Randy Thayer; her daughters, Tina (Doug) Novak and Rebecca (Brad Hoopingarner) Gerken; her grandchildren: Paige Ochsner, Preston Ochsner, Spencer Gerken, Madison (Skyler) Stevens and Edward Staples; five great-grandchildren; and members of Randy's family as well. She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, and her daughter, Angela. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Tina Novak – PO Box 16 – Blunt, SD 57522.