SHAKOPEE, Minn. –– Kathryn Leslie Stobbs, age 80, of Shakopee, Minn., formerly of Brooklyn Park, passed away on March 20, 2026, at her home, on her birthday, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Kathryn was born on March 20, 1946, in Miller to Leslie and Edith (Steele) Croll. After high school graduation, she attended South Dakota State University and became a Registered Nurse. She spent her career in a variety of roles, at an ENT clinic in Portland, as a Visiting Nurse for the City of Minneapolis, as a School Nurse, then in long-term care at Maranatha Care Center in Brooklyn Center, Anoka Rehab and Living Center, Jones-Harrison in Minneapolis, and retired as Director of Education at Providence Place in Minneapolis. She served in professional organizations as well, notably as Vice President of APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology).
She and her family moved several times including to Portland, Ore., Golden Valley, Minn., Cleveland, Ohio, and even Perth, Western Australia, before making their way back to Minnesota, living in Brooklyn Park for decades before moving to Shakopee in 2014.
Kathryn married Gene Stobbs in Miller on October 6, 1968. A loving wife and mother to her 3 children, Steve, Tricia and Andy, she also managed to find time for volunteering in the cities in which they lived. She volunteered at the schools, including Applecross Primary in Perth and Crestview Elementary in Brooklyn Park. She was especially involved with Scouting. She was a Den Leader and Den Leader Coach, Assistant Scoutmaster, District- and Council-level volunteer, with extensive leader training roles including several Wood Badge courses. She received the Pathfinder District Award of Merit, and Viking Council Silver Beaver award. Kathryn also worked at Many Point Scout Camp where she was Ten Chiefs Camp Sports Director in 1996 and the Director of the Family Camp from 1997-1999.
Kathryn is survived by her husband, Gene; her children, Steve (Julie) Stobbs; Tricia (Lorin Krause) Stobbs, and Andrew (Dr. Neil Anderson) Stobbs; grandchildren, Grace and Cole Stobbs, Abby Olson, and Jill Krause; and her brother, Larry Croll.
A Celebration of Kathryn’s Life will be held Saturday, April 25, at McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation, 1220 Third Avenue East, Shakopee, 952-445-2755: Visitation from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and service at 1:30 p.m. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers or correspondence, memorials are preferred. Please make a donation to your favorite cause. Kathy was an advocate for scientific research, youth programs, and animals of all sorts. A private family burial for cremated remains will take place on Kathryn’s family plot at the GAR Cemetery in Miller.
www.mcnearneyfuneralhome.com
Leave a Reply