Katherine Lundgren

Katherine T. Lundgren ("Tootie Terry"), formerly of St. Paul, MN, passed away peacefully in Sauk Centre after a courageous battle with cancer on April 10, 2026.

She was born on Oct. 2, 1946 in St. Paul to William Terry and Mary Van Ness, the second of 12 children. She graduated from Washington High School in 1965 and worked several jobs before settling in as an employee in the disability department for the State of Minnesota.

After her mother left home and her father died in 1967, she became the matriarch of the Terry Family. Her door, refrigerator, wallet, and especially her heart was always open to her siblings, nieces and nephews.

On Sept. 9, 1973, she gave birth to her son, Bryan. She lived most of her adult life in St. Paul and then Blaine before moving to Sauk Centre in 2022 to be closer to family. While in Sauk Centre she enjoyed working part time at the AmericInn and the Dollar Tree.

On May 27, 1988, she married the love of her life, John D. Lundgren, and they remained married until his death in 2021. Their marriage was one of deep love and respect for one another.

She loved summer getaways with her family, making annual summer trips to resorts around Minnesota with her siblings and nieces and nephews. For the past decade she enjoyed spending weekends at Saukinac Campground, sitting around the campfire with a beer in hand and playing Password. She was a Password legend and was also unbeatable in Scrabble and Words with Friends. Her grandson, Jacob, finally beat her recently, but it is likely she let him win.

She had a contagious laugh and whenever she tried to tell a joke or a funny story, she couldn’t and could only laugh, which made it funnier than the original joke or story.

She enjoyed reading mystery novels and watching mystery shows. She was an avid fan of the Twins, Vikings and Wild, and wore her Wild stocking hat until the very end.

She loved old movies and TV Shows and 50s and 60s music, and could name old-time actors and artists at the drop of a hat before anyone else.

She was devastated when Elvis died in 1977 and always thought Tom Selleck was a hunk.

She especially enjoyed her girl time with Bette, Mary, Angie, Kristine, Dawn and Amanda.

She was a devoted mother to Bryan, devoted stepmother to Michael and Kris Lundgren (Ninnemann) and beloved grandma to Jacob, Sydney, Johnny, K.J. and Grace.

She was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 46, and then again at age 64, and then again at age 78. Each time she fought with quiet resiliency, dignity and an unyielding spirit. Her goal was to make her 80th birthday, and although she didn’t, she still made 80 Thanksgivings, Christmas days and Easter Sundays. She lived life on her terms and enjoyed the simple things until she was finally called home to be reunited with her beloved husband, John.

She was a devoted mother, stepmother, grandmother, Godmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. She was kind, gentle, giving, and just a lot of fun. She was funny, often laughing at her own silly mishaps and complaining she had “All-Timers Disease.”

She is survived by her son Bryan Zollman (Heather), grandchildren Jacob, Sydney, and Johnny; stepchildren Michael Lundgren (Lynne) and Kris Ninnemann (Tim) and grandchildren K.J. and Grace.

She will be deeply missed by her surviving siblings Dennis, Bette, Tweedlo, Timmy, Mikey, Mark, Joey, Mary and Angie; and her many nieces and nephews, who she adored.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, brothers Eddie and Gene, niece Melissa, and nephew Richie.

She loved deeply and was deeply loved in return. She will be missed tremendously and remembered as the cornerstone and the heart of her family. It brought her great joy to be visited by many of her siblings and nieces and nephews prior to her passing. She was especially grateful for the care she received from her siblings during her time at home in hospice. The love she bestowed upon her siblings when they were young was returned to her when she could no longer care for herself. Life’s greatest blessing is to be loved, and she was loved immensely.

Special thanks to the wonderful nurses and therapists at Cura of Sauk Centre, and especially to CentraCare hospice care nurses Denise, Kathy and Kayla for providing comfort in her final days.

Also thanks to Linda, Sara and Mark at Patton-Schad for their professional care and concern upon her passing.

An open house celebration of life is planned for May 23 at Diamond Point in Sauk Centre from 4-6 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.