Kathleen Janet (Arnoldt) Sundahl

Kathleen Janet “Kathy” Sundahl, 89, of Bemidji, passed away peacefully August 13, 2024, surrounded by her children.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, June 14th at Aardahl Lutheran Church in Bemidji. 

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Aardahl Lutheran Church.

Kathy was born to Gus and Emma (Miller) Arnoldt, growing up with three sisters in Walla Walla, WA. After graduating high school, she attended Central Washington College of Education and graduated with a Fine Arts degree in 1956, becoming an honor student and president of honor society Kappa Delta Pi. During this time, she created dozens of mixed media art such as ceramics, sculptures, prints and jewelry, receiving awards and works that her family cherishes. After graduation, Kathy taught art at Moses Lake, WA then spent a few years in Key West before moving to Redondo Beach, CA where she met her future husband, Arthur.

 Kathy married Art Sundahl in the summer of 1961, spending over 60 wonderful years together. They moved to Bemidji to care for Art’s parents, and they raised three children. After her kids were school age, she worked at MeritCare Clinic in Bemidji for over 13 years while also working on their farm.  A great mom with a tremendous heart, witty humor and seemingly endless energy, she always made time for her children and grandson Ben. Despite her numerous talents, Kathy will be most fondly remembered for her love and tireless devotion to her family.  

Kathy always enjoyed keeping busy with projects and exhibited amazing creative skills whether in remodeling buildings or producing works for family and charity. She shared a love of travel with Art, hitting the road with him regularly to make many cross-country trips over their lifetime. She spent her retirement years as a snowbird, enjoying the winters together at their place in Apache Junction, AZ. She loved gardening, crafting, spending time with loved ones, volunteering and quilting with her friends at church. She was loving, genuine and selfless, and was greatly loved by her family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband Art Sundahl, parents Gus and Emma (Miller) Arnoldt, sisters Ilene Woodd, JoAnn Fleenor and Eleanor Roper.

Survived by her three children Steven (Dorothy) Sundahl, Laura (Kellen) Sievers, Alison (Jeff) Sundahl-Bartlett, grandson Benjamin Arthur and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements provided by the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji.

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