Katherine Therese Katzdorn (Cherpeski)
Katherine (Kathy) Therese Katzdorn (Cherpeski)
1942 - 2025
Katherine (Kathy) Therese Katzdorn (Cherpeski) our loving mother and grandmother passed away on the morning of April 9th, 2025, in her son’s home in San Diego California after a brief battle with bladder cancer at the age of 82. Kathy’s son and daughter in law were by her side when she passed. She moved from Sandy Utah to San Diego in September of 2024 to live with her family after the passing of her husband in July of the same year.
Kathy was born on June 12th, 1942, in Ely Nevada, To Alexander Joseph Cherpeski and Matella Marie Cherpeski (Colbiornsen.) She came from a large family of 8 siblings. She graduated from White Pines High School, and was part of the school’s drill team called the Bobkettes. Shortly after graduation, she began working for a local law office in Ely. Her career took Kathy from Nevada to California and ultimately to Utah where she worked for several prominent law firms in Salt Lake City. She was highly respected for her work ethic, talents, and abilities as a legal secretary. After a fifty-year career in the legal field, Kathy retired in 2011
She was married to the love of her life, James Katzdorn, on March 15th, 1981. They both enjoyed traveling and having amazing adventures for most of their married life. Some of their favorite places to go were Italy, and Mexico. They went on numerous cruises, from the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Newfoundland to name a few. They traveled all over the country as well. They especially enjoyed traveling and experiencing the world with their dear friends Jim and Patti Lingnaw.
Kathy loved spending time outdoors in her garden and making her home a beautiful space to live and thrive. She also loved going out on Fridays with her husband to several restaurants in Salt Lake City that were very special to them, as well as reading, card games, and working very difficult crossword puzzles.
Kathy was a kind and generous individual. She would not hesitate to help someone in need. She was caring to the ones she loved and could make a stranger feel like an old long lost fried. So often in her life, she would help individuals who never saw the help coming. She just did it as it was a good thing to do for someone in need, and she never expecting anything in return.
She is preceded in death by James Katzdorn (Husband,) Toni Marie Ten wolde (Daughter,) Alexander J. Cherpeski (Father,) Matella M. Cherpeski (Mother,) Brothers Thomas & Robert Cherpeski, and by her sisters, Helen Curtis, Judy Baumgardner, Elizabeth Cherpeski, and Margaret Cherpeski.
She is survived by her son and his wife Tony (Mia) Katzdorn and their son Dane Katzdorn who was her only grandchild. Brothers James R. (Yvonne) Cherpeski of Midvale UT, Vincent P. (Terri) Cherpeski of Carson City NV, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Immediate family and friends will be having a small gathering to celebrate the life of Kathy in June. Kathy and her husband James ashes will be scattered together off the California Coast by burial at sea.
Kathy will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
