Kathleen J Thompson

Kathleen Joanne (Busse) Thompson died on May 12, 2026. She was 87 years old. 

Kathy was born to parents John and Mathilda (Zutz) Busse on Feb. 15, 1939, in Virginia, MN. The family eventually moved to Duluth, and Kathy was a proud graduate of Denfeld High School making lifelong friends to this day. A skilled and dedicated histologist, Kathy retired from St. Luke’s Hospital after six decades of service that also included time at St. Mary’s Hospital and the UMD Medical School. 

Kathy married the love of her life, Gary Thompson, on Dec. 30, 1988. They had a wonderful 35 years together on their property just outside of Duluth in Rice Lake. They gardened and planted apple and pear trees and Kathy filled their home with treasures from their travels in search of the best barbeque in the country and touring national sites and golf courses. Gary taught Kathy to golf, and she blossomed with her own brand of “Kathy Golf” – straight down the middle every time with a strong short game. She played in a number of leagues, including Lester Park, Enger, Pike Lake and Two Harbors, and she is the only one in the family with a Hole-In-One trophy. While competitive, it wasn’t about the trophies for Kathy. It was about her many friendships made along the way. In her later years she formed a new friendship group playing mahjong and cards. 

She treasured social interactions with old friends and new. She was an avid reader, enjoying book clubs, as well. Kathy’s family legacy will always revolve around memories of Christmas celebrations with her amazing cooking, baking, beautiful Christmas tree and decorations and bottomless gift bags that made every family member feel seen and individually acknowledged. It was and will always be magical in our hearts and memories. She lived for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kathy is preceded in death by her loving husband, Gary; her parents; children, Bruce and Kerry (Suzanne) Olsen; sister, Barbara (Charles) Muck; and brothers, Jack (Beverly), Alan (Marilyn), Lowell and David (Judy) Busse; and first spouse, Lyle Olsen. She is survived by her children, Cindy Gressman, Keith and Craig Olsen, Nicole (Chris) Wood; grandchildren, Josh (Holly) & Jessica (Alex), Brittany, Morgan & David, Jordan & Nathan, and Anja & Elizabeth; great-grandchildren, Owen & Hudson and Ames & Jack; sister, Ruth Ann (Bob) Kempf; along with many dear nieces and nephews, other extended family members and friends. 

A Celebration of Kathy’s life will be held on Saturday, June 6th at 12 noon with a visitation starting at 11 a.m. at Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second Street, Duluth, MN. 

The family would like to thank the many amazing health care professionals at St. Luke’s Hospital (Aspirus) who took such loving care of Kathy in her final weeks.

The Service will be livestreamed on the Dougherty Funeral Home Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dfhduluth/