Katy Walsvik's Obituary (article) by Leland Waldrip on AuthorsDen

Walsvik, Kathy L. 'Katy'\ MADISON - Kathy L. 'Katy' Walsvik, age 61, of Madison, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2009. She was born on Sept. 10, 1947, in Madison, the daughter of Orvin and Betty (Thompson) Walsvik. Kathy graduated from Monona Grove High School in 1965. She also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kathy worked as an interpreter for the deaf and worked using voice recognition software for Captel. She was also a published poet. Kathy published her book in 2005 which was titled '...and furthermore...'. She was a favorite on the Authors Den and wrote poetry for almost every family event as a gift. Kathy is survived by her son, Adam Walsvik; her stepmother, Kay Walsvik; five sisters, Jimalee (Bill) Binn, Valerie (Gary) Klein, Gretchen Stohl (Alan Warczak), Heidi (Chris) Gill and Kara Stohl; a brother, Storm (Penny) Walsvik; her best friend, Kathy Lawrence; and many wonderful cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Tammy Walsvik Kruzan. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2009. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until the time of service on Friday.

For those who care to read it here are some odds and ends of correspondence between Kathleen Lawrence, Ed Kostro and myself:

by Kathleen Lawrence (reader) at 3/30/2009 4:13:09 PM

Good Evening Leland,

Thank you so very much for the poem you wrote for Katy. I've printed it out to mail to her son Adam. What a wonderful tribute to my friend. I'm still reeling from the news of her death four weeks ago. In our lives we sometimes are lucky enough to have a soul mate...and Katy was mine.

I'm having a bit of a hard time getting around the den! Please thank everyone who responded to the posting of your poem and the condolences to her family.

I know that she was looking forward to the time she could get another computer and get back to emailing all of you. Katy had a very rough patch in her life for the last year. She was never ill...she went to bed and just never woke up. We spent every weekend together and when she called on a Friday and said she thought she was getting the "flu" and wouldn't be coming over to my house I said that I would call the next Wednesday to see how she was feeling. She died on Monday Morning, March 2, 2009.

I know that she had a friend Roger from Connecticut (I think that was the state) that she had gone to see. I wonder if anyone would know is last name?

Kathleen

Posted by Leland Waldrip (author) at 3/30/2009 5:10:35 PM

Hi Kathleen Lawrence:

Thank you so much for responding. This information just floors me. That she just didn't wake up is so surprising. However, it has to be the preferred way to go, when the time comes.

I would like to post your messages as part of an article on Authorsden if you approve. Many will be interested in this. In fact, I've received requests for an address to send messages to the family if it is available.

Thanks again,
Warmest regards,
Leland

by Mr. Ed (author) at 3/30/2009 1:00:01 PM

Hi Leland,

I was truly saddened by the news of Katy's death, and I regret having lost touch with her in the last several months. May I ask how you found out and the circumstances?

Matlack, myself, and a few others would like to know if you might have a name and address for any family members we might express our condolences to.

Thanks very much,
Ed

Posted by Leland Waldrip (author) at 3/30/2009 3:09:27 PM

Hi Mr. Ed:

I had queried Eileen about Katy's absence from AD. She responded that she hadn't heard from her for quite a while.

Apparently Katy's friend, Kathleen Lawerence, saw my correspondence with Eileen and sent me a message as follows:

"by Kathleen Lawrence (reader) at 3/29/2009 4:58:20 PM
Hi Leland,

I am trying to reach as many folks on the Authors Den as possible. My best friend was Katy Walsvik and she passed away on March 2. I can't explain my sorrow. Thank you for trying to reach her.

I know that I am not to post my email....but I would like to be able to share this very sad news with the friends she so loved on this site.

Kathleen....here goes.....will I get sued????

imashykatya.sbcglobal.net......please make the subject line Katy"

Mr. Ed: I assume that the "a." following katy in the email address is supposed to be an at sign, but perhaps it's the "." only. I responded both through the AD reply link and through the specified email address but have heard nothing further.

In sorrow,
Leland