Katelyn Ann “Katie” Bjorndahl

Katelyn Ann Bjorndahl received her angel wings on September 29, 2018 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota.

Katie was born on October 8, 1997 to Aaron and Lisa Bjorndahl.  She attended pre-school through high school graduation in Hawley, Minnesota.  She went on to attend NDSCS in Wahpeton, North Dakota and graduated with her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts as well as fulfilling her dream of playing college softball.  She was registered for winter semester to attend Mayville State University to obtain a degree in elementary education and coaching.

Katie was a kind person and her infectious spirit and sense of humor touched many people and is what described her the best.  If you met Katie once you had a friend for life.  She always put others before herself and when Katie was in a room you could feel her presence and energy.

Katie’s true passions in life were family, friends, kids, art and softball.  She was a beautiful artist who could take a picture of something and make it come alive in a drawing or painting.  She always made time for friends and her family always counted on her for her sense of humor and willingness to always listen or help in any way that she could.  Katie loved kids and kids loved Katie.  She had a way of making each one feel like they were the center of her universe when she interacted with them.  She coached and taught skills to many young softball players in a patient way that made them feel important no matter how many times they struck out or missed a catch.  Her passion was playing fast-pitch softball in which she received many awards, played in state tournaments, was selected for the All-Star game, and most recently played with the NDSCS Wildcats in the National Fast-Pitch tournament in Rochester.  Katie had a bat and ball in her hands and playing on teams since she was 3 years old.  She played for Rollag Red, Hawley Nuggets, FM Blaze, Kindred Fast-Pitch and the NDSCS Wildcats.

To Katie, our “tribe of five” family was everything and she protected her family members with a fierceness. Katie shined the most when she interacted with her siblings Nick and Grace on the many little family weekend adventures, Duluth being her favorite.  She loved helping out in the kitchen getting ready for our weekly Sunday suppers.  Katie really liked the simple things in life, such as blueberry picking and spending time at WMSTR with her Dad, driving four-wheeler, spending time at the lakes, bon-fires, laughing with her Mom at things nobody else understood or even thought was funny and first one in the car for any spur of the moment adventurous road trip but always ending up the last one in the car because she forgot something.  Katie’s desire to take a family trip to Mexico was fulfilled in April of 2017 where she was finally able to swim with the dolphins and learn to snorkel.  We are extremely grateful that our “tribe of five” packed in a lifetime of memories in Katie’s short time with us.  She will be missed dearly!

Katie is survived by her Dad and Mom, Aaron and Lisa Bjorndahl; her brother Nicholas; her sister Grace; her grandparents Erling and Erlis Bjorndahl, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins and numerous friends.  She is also survived by her special dog Lola.

Katie was preceded in death by her cousin Andrew and her grandparents Wayne and Nancy  Lunneborg. Oh how glorious the reunion must have been in heaven when Katie’s most beloved Bushka (Nancy) was there to lead the way.

Katie even continued her loving and giving ways by being a donor and many people will go on to live a better life because of her.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M., Friday, October 5, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Hawley, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 6, at the church. A private family burial will be held at Hawley Cemetery, Hawley, MN.