Kathleen (Hensen) Egstad
ASHTON–Kathleen Mary Egstad, 81, of rural Ashton, passed away on Sept. 18, 2022. She was born on Jan. 8, 1941 at Saint Mary's Hospital in Madison, the daughter of Eleanor C. (Boos) Hensen and her husband Herman L. Hensen, a Middleton native.
Kathy graduated from Edgewood High School in 1959 and then continued her studies at Edgewood College in Madison. She met her future husband, James Richard Egstad, on a double date while in high school. They were united in marriage on Aug. 20, 1960 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Madison.
At the time of her marriage, she was a sophomore at Edgewood College with intentions of being an art teacher, and James was a junior electrical engineering student at UW-Madison.
Jim’s career gave the family opportunities to live in many different cities within the United States, as well as in Belgium and Sweden. Kathy had an eye for art and color pallets and her home was beautifully decorated. She was a self-taught seamstress and was also a fantastic cook. She even had a few recipes named after her.
She was a member of Middleton-Cross Plains Garden Club, and the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) which encourages the widest number of readers the study, appreciation, and understanding of famed English novelist Jane Austen’s works.
Kathy is survived by her devoted husband, Jim, Sr.; her five beloved children, James Egstad Jr., Christopher Egstad, Jonathan (Cori) Egstad, Joshua (Crystal) Egstad, and Katherine Beschta; her grandchildren, Anders and Ronan Egstad, Joseph Gorski Jr. (McKenzie Blohowiak), Ashley Gorski, and Brooke, and Nicholas Beschta; her great-grandson, Colton Gorski; two brothers-in-laws, Dennis Egstad and Michael Predith; and a sister-in-law, Yvonne "Bonnie" Jones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman (March 22, 1981) and Eleanor (June 8, 2000); her stepfather Francis William Turney (1995), her father-in-law Warren C. "Red" Egstad (July 18, 1969) and mother-in-law Ella Mae (Klover) Egstad (Jan. 26, 2012); two brothers-in-law, Roger Jones and Robert Egstad; and other relatives.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff of Agrace HospiceCare, especially Lynette, Jody, and Tonesha, for making Kathy’s final days as peaceful and comfortable as possible.
A celebration of life to remember Kathy will be held at a later date. Gunderson Funeral Home, 7435 University Avenue in Middleton, served the family. Online condolences may be made at gundersonfh.com.
