Kathleen "Kathy" Elaine (Cerwick) Van Tassel

The service will be livestreamed here: Kathy Van Tassel Livestream of Service

Kathleen "Kathy" Elaine Van Tassel, age 68, was rescued from her battle with cancer when God called her to her heavenly home on April 24, 2023. She was a good and faithful servant who was the heart, soul, spirit, and light of her family.

She was born August 20, 1954 in Estherville, IA to William Roger and Adelaide Sarah Cerwick. She was baptized September 5th, 1954 at Immanuel Lutheran Church and there she began her life-long journey of faith.

Kathy was the youngest of three girls and spent her first 5 years in Iowa before moving to Worthington, MN and then to the Twin Cities at age 10. In 1964, she stood next to a boy named Ron Van Tassel for her 5th grade class picture. At that time, they had no idea they would become best friends, soulmates, and marriage partners for 47+ years.

Kathy graduated from Armstrong High School in 1972 and she and Ron married in 1975. They had three daughters (Holly, Sarah, Missi) whom Kathy adored with all her heart. After her girls started school, she started working in the Osseo/Maple Grove School District, where she stayed for 25 years. Her longest held, and most beloved position, was as an elementary paraprofessional where she patiently made math and reading fun for the kids who needed her help.

In her free time, Kathy was usually outdoors and doing something active. She loved walking, playing with her grandkids, and puttering in her yard or any sunny spot with flowers, birds, or sounds of nature. Her creativity was always calling. She could often be found with a paintbrush in hand for her latest DIY or art project. She also enjoyed spending time on the water, swimming, boating, or fishing.

Kathy was a dedicated church volunteer. Through the years, she played a role on many committees, but one of her favorites was being the lead for Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church’s decorating committee. Oh, how she loved to decorate the sanctuary for each church holiday season. She even told us she would pray over the plants and flowers, asking them to bloom and show off their fullest beauty. Ron was ‘deputized’ as her assistant and provided the muscle behind her decorating endeavors.

In 2007 and 2008, Kathy fought a difficult battle with stage-three breast cancer. In her recovery she grew an even fuller love for life and for those around her. She learned to enjoy traveling and went on many international and domestic adventures. Some of her favorites included trips to the Holy Land (twice!), the hillsides of France, Alaska, co-piloting a flight over the Grand Canyon, and many relaxing weeks in Southwest Florida.

Kathy’s greatest love was being near her family and friends, with Ron almost always by her side. Kathy could often be found creating memories with her grandchildren, playing golf with her friends, or caring for anyone with a need in her community. Kathy will forever be remembered for her love of Jesus, her family, and her friends.

She has been reunited with her mother, father, and sisters Lois Oster and Judy Hughes. She leaves behind Ron Van Tassel, her adoring husband of 47 years, and her three daughters Holly (David) Willis, Sarah (Luke) Feldbrugge, and Missi Schultz. Also, her cherished grandchildren, Charley (11) and Chloe (9) Willis, Reid Feldbrugge (6), Trevor (21), Sullivan (17), Emmerson (13), and Olive (12) Schultz; these children were truly the apple of her eye.

Flowers can be sent to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN or memorials can be given in Kathy’s honor to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church or Park Nicollet Foundation.

Services will be held on Thursday, May 4th at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 5005 Northwest Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55442; public visitation at 10am, funeral service at 11am, and luncheon to
follow at church.

Special thanks to Kathy’s support network that followed her journey on Caring Bridge. We are forever grateful for the prayers, meals, cards, love, and encouragement to her and our family.