Catherine Stephenie Kopari (née Conito)

Catherine Stephenie Kopari, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, educator, writer, artist, and faithful Catholic, passed away on June 21, 2026, at the age of 95.  Catherine was born on December 26, 1930, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Carl and Rose (Blotti) Conito. She grew up in Duluth and graduated from Denfeld High School in 1949. A lifelong believer in the value of education, Catherine returned to college as an adult and earned, with honors, a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth in 1974. She later earned a Certificate in Gerontology from The College of St. Scholastica as well. These accomplishments reflected the determination and persistence that characterized her entire life.  Throughout her career, Catherine devoted herself to serving others. She worked as an elementary school assistant teacher and later as a classroom teacher. During the 1980s, she worked as a cashier at Newman's Pharmacy in Duluth's West End neighborhood. She later served as a senior citizen recreation coordinator at Harrison Community Center, where she combined her creativity, compassion, and organizational skills to enrich the lives of older adults in the community. Catherine and her family also opened their home to ten foreign exchange students over a five-year period, creating lifelong friendships and cultural connections. 

A devoted Catholic throughout her life, Catherine's faith guided her actions, relationships, and service to others. She was known for her strong work ethic, persistence, creativity, generosity, and devotion to family. Catherine found great joy in arts and crafts and loved to sketch people, places, and things that caught her interest. She illustrated her own books and was the author of several published children's books, including Olive the Octopus. She also wrote stories about growing up as the daughter of Italian immigrants and worked to preserve her family's history through autobiographical and genealogical writings. 

She enjoyed being part of a ladies championship bowling team for ten years, loved dressing up for Halloween costume parties, and celebrated every holiday with enthusiasm. She loved music and dancing, especially the jitterbug. As a young woman, her mother would not allow her to attend dances unless she was escorted by one or more of her Mitchell nephews, many of whom were older than or close in age to her. She worked alongside her brother Ernest and his family at the Conito Italian Village in West Duluth, helping hand-make ravioli and cavatelli. Family traditions were deeply important to her, and she treasured the customs and gatherings that connected generations of her large Italian family.

Catherine was married first to John Carlson and later to Leslie Kopari. Together they shared the joys and challenges of building and raising a family.

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Wizner (née Carlson) and Cynthia's partner, Robert McCollum; her son, Anthony Kopari and Anthony's wife, Kari (Greene) Kopari; her grandchildren Heather Kelly, Ariel Carlson Freeman, Nathan Carlson, Jason Carlson, Nicole Wizner Anderson, Lorenzo Kopari, Gabriela Kopari, Marcella Kopari Sanders, and Armand Kopari; 10 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Rose (Blotti) Conito; her husbands, John Carlson and Leslie Kopari; her son, Stephen Carlson; her stepson, Leslie Kopari Jr.; her grandson, Antonio Carlson; and her siblings, John Tomar, Carly Tomar, Mary Tomar Mitchell, Francis Conito, Evelyn Conito Haley, Ernest Conito, Carl Conito, Rose Conito Schmidt, and Marcy Conito Bourgeault.

Those who knew Catherine will remember a woman of deep faith, determination, creativity, and generosity. She believed in the importance of family, education, and service to others. Whether teaching children, encouraging seniors, writing stories, creating handmade gifts, preserving family history, or simply caring for those around her, she brought purpose and compassion to everything she did. Her legacy lives on through the family she cherished, the students and community members she served, the stories she preserved, and the many lives she touched through her faith, compassion, perseverance, and love. Through her books, artwork, family histories, and memories shared across generations, she leaves behind not only descendants but also a lasting record of the people, traditions, and values she held dear.

Visitation will be held from 1:00PM until the 2PM Funeral Service on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Dougherty Funeral Home 600 E. 2nd St., Duluth, Minnesota, 55805. 218-727-3555. Family and friends are invited to gather in celebration of Catherine's life and legacy.