Kathleen VandeWalle

Kathleen VandeWalle, 95, crossed over peacefully into our Father’s waiting and loving arms at Touchmarck Assisted Living in Bismarck on May 19, 2025. Kathleen courageously fought an exhausting battle with Alzheimer’s disease for several years.

Kathleen was born to Emma Martin Baier and Theodore Eugene Baier on August 30, 1929 in Bismarck, ND. She was raised in Goodrich, ND and her family later moved to Bottineau, ND when she was 11 years old.

Kathleen graduated from Bottineau High School as Valedictorian of her senior class in 1947. She went on to receive a 2 year secretarial degree from the former Bottineau School of Forestry College.

Her employment included working for the Benson Law Firm for several years and later working at the Bottineau Courthouse with the Clerk of Court’s office until she retired.

On November 27, 1954, Kathleen married Virgil VandeWalle from Noonan, ND. They resided in Bottineau and had 2 daughters; Mary and Nancy. After the passing of Virgil in 1973, Kathleen married Oscar Kleven of Bottineau in 1985.

Kathleen was a Christian raised in the Baptist Church in Bottineau. She later joined the Lutheran Church after marrying Oscar Kleven.

Her favorite thing to do as a child was ice skating. She spent many hours at the Bottineau Ice Arena figure skating with her friends, even though the inside of the arena was very cold. The warming room was their refuge.

Music was also a love of Kathleen’s. She played the clarinet in high school and she and her brothers took several years of piano lessons. As an adult, she bought a piano and especially enjoyed playing at Christmas. She later sold the piano and bought a digital keyboard.

While Virgil was alive, Kathleen frequently typed tests and other teaching materials that were needed by Virgil in the classroom. She became the secretary without pay.

Kathleen loved working in her yard as did her dad and husband Virgil. She mowed her grass weekly, planted a vegetable and flower garden, and did lots of weeding during the summer months. Planting flower pots was a must in the spring and not a weed could be found in her immaculate yard.

Driving to Minot and Bismarck for shopping was a favorite outing before she moved to Bismarck in 2010 to be closer to her family. She was somewhat of a shopping queen and loved looking at clothing styles, shoes and decorations for her home.

Kathleen’s greatest love was interacting with her grandchildren; Ashley Kuntz Wangler (Nick), Brittany Kuntz Smith (Lane), Jordan Szymialis (Ricky Ritter), and Jenna Szymialis (Alex Hoops). It was even more special when she got great grandchildren and watched them grow up. Her great grandchildren are Sophia Wangler, Nolan Wangler, Lincoln Wangler, Asher Smith and two babies on the way.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husbands Virgil VandeWalle and Oscar Kleven, her parents Emma Martin Baier and Ted Baier, her brothers James Baier and Don Baier, and sister-in-law Colleen Trent Baier.

Kathleen is survived by her daughters Mary VandeWalle Kuntz (Dan) and Nancy Szymialis, her brother-in-law Gerald VandeWalle, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Parkway Funeral Service. Cremation has taken place. If you wish to honor Kathleen’s memory, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 600 S. 2nd Street, Suite 202, Bismarck, ND 58504.