Kathleen Arlene (Hamilton) Gunter, 76, of New London, passed away at her home on October 7th, 2026, from Lewy Body Dementia. She died peacefully with Larry and her girls at her side. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 17th at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church near Spicer with Fr. Ron Huberty officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 16th at the church and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church, on Saturday. Memorials will be shared with numerous charities. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home of New London.
Kathi was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on November 12, 1949. She was adopted at that time by Rev. Donald and Arlene Hamilton who lived in Dallas, Texas. The family later moved to St. Ansgar, Iowa, then to Spirit Lake, Iowa, and finally to Sacred Heart, Minnesota where she graduated from high school in 1968. She attended Southwest Minnesota State University for one year, then attended St. Barnabas Nursing School graduating in 1972 as a Registered Nurse.
On September 16, 1972, Kathi married Larry Gunter. They first made their home in Platteville, Wisconsin, for a short time, then moved to Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. They then built their home in Arden Hills, Minnesota, and finally settled in New London, Minnesota, in 2001. They were blessed with three wonderful daughters, Heather, Megan and Mary and she was blessed again with 9 grandchildren. She loved to give big hugs to them all.
Kathi began her 40 year nursing career in 1972 with 37 of those years with Unity Hospital in Fridley, Minnesota.
Kathi loved to cross-stitch, do crossword puzzles, horseback riding, was an avid reader, especially reading the bible. AND – she was the birthday/anniversary/any occasion, card mailing queen. As a friend of hers said “Kathi loved everyone and everyone loved her.”
She volunteered at the St. Odilia Elementary School library for many years and was a member of the CCW at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church.
Kathi is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Larry; children, Heather Kalevik (and special friend John) and her children Emma, Braden, Morgan, and Lydia; Megan (Dave) Gunderson and their children Kyler, Austin and Brooks; Mary (Ryan) Kadrie and their children Thomas and Bradley; siblings, Rob (Jan) Hamilton, Naomi (Mark) Tate, Brian (Carol) Hamilton, Mike (Cathy) Hamilton and Patrice Hamilton; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim (Vickie) Gunter, John (Sue) Gunter, Pam Patnode and Marcia (John) Hauck; birth siblings, Mary (Steve) Woelfel, Lanny Hoel, Jeff (Lorrie) Hoel, Tina Shoopman and Mike Hoel; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Donald and Arlene Hamilton; father and mother-in-law, John and Marcella Gunter; brother-in-law, Mark Patnode; and birth parents, Ed and Mary Hoel.
Kathi was a gift to all of us.