Eileen Kathryn “Kathy” Bosch was born on August 11, 1938, the youngest child of Leone and Harold Abbey, and was raised on the family farm south of Regent, ND. She attended country school during her primary grades and graduated from Mott High School in 1957.

Kathy continued her education at St. Alexius School of Nursing in Bismarck. It was during this time she met Simon C. Bosch, who was living in Bismarck after his service in the Marine Corps. In 1959, Kathy graduated from the nursing program and, that fall, she and Simon were united in marriage at St. Mary’s Church, Bismarck.

Kathy and Simon welcomed the first of their seven children in 1960. As the family grew, it wasn’t long before they outgrew their first home. They moved to a house on Summit Boulevard, which became home for their four daughters and three sons, and was a place of love, family, good food, and support to many for over 50 years.

In addition to raising her family, Kathy worked part-time as an Emergency Department nurse and night supervisor at St. Alexius. In the late 1980s, she returned to school and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Mary in 1988. She continued her nursing career at Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health providing in-office care and home health visits for many until her retirement in 2002.

Kathy and Simon were long-standing parishioners at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck, and she was a member of Catholic Daughters. She placed value on regularly attending services and contributing throughout her life.

For many years, Kathy and Simon tended a large garden and always had fresh and canned “garden goodies” to share. Always generous, she often showed her love through cooking and baking. Family and guests were welcomed as she hosted countless meals - holiday and everyday - over the years. Much to her family’s delight, preparing for holiday meals almost always involved making countless homemade pies (apple, pumpkin, banana cream, chocolate, and coconut cream were favorites), often with help from her daughter Jane.

Kathy kept up with her Mott classmates through school reunions, and she enjoyed getting together with a “Retired Nurses” group of classmates from nursing school and former colleagues from St. A’s and Public Health. She also participated for years in “Birthday Club” with friends and neighbors.

Kathy was traditional, yet progressive. She carried a dignified, quiet strength and was a steady presence in the lives of her loved ones. She was patient beyond measure, and, throughout her life, she met challenges head-on with grace, practicality, and perseverance.

Kathy was blessed to enjoy many years of good health and lived independently until shortly before her passing on February 25, 2026. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 PM, Monday, March 9th, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 520 Raymond St., Bismarck, with lunch to follow. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM on Sunday, March 8th, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Family and friends are welcome to visit and share memories beginning at 6:00 PM, with a rosary/vigil service to begin at 7:00 PM. A private burial will take place.

Kathy will be greatly missed by many. She is survived by six of her children and their spouses: Sue (Leon) Smith - Belfair, WA, Linda (Tom) Harvey - Hot Springs, SD, David (Cheryl) Bosch - Allyn, WA, Jane Bosch - Mandan, Joe (Kim) Bosch - Fergus Falls, MN, and Lauren (Robin) Bosch - Bismarck; 15 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband Simon in 2024, daughter Nancy Horner, grandson Corey Bosch, brother Darrell Abbey, sister Delores Reuer, and parents Leone and Harold Abbey.