Katherine T Osten

Katherine T. Osten went to join her Creator on October 15, 2025 from her home in Nashville, TN. Kathy had a faith filled life. It was her faith and love of life that sustained her for 5 years living with ovarian cancer. She lived with purpose and a compassionate heart until her last breath.

Kathy was blessed to be born to Dr. Reuben Alexander and Doris Katherine Turner Reichel Osten on June 28, 1951 in San Mateo, CA. Kathy was grateful to them for filling her life full of love, adventure and opportunity. Kathy, at the age of six, moved to Europe with her family and travel became an integral part of her life. She attended the International School in Geneva, Switzerland with children from 61 different countries. This experience had a major impact on her interest in history and world cultures.

Upon return to the United States, she attended the Tatnall School in Wilmington, DE, from where she graduated in 1969. Kathy remained life-long friends with her classmates until the end of life. Kathy graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1973 with a BSN and later completed an MA in Heath Services Administration from the University of St. Francis. She dedicated forty years of her life to a nursing career at St. Thomas Hospital, Nashville, TN, where she served as both a Critical Care Nurse and a Cardiac Case Manager. Kathy had an abiding love for the colleagues with whom she served. Kathy found great meaning and purpose in her work and was passionate about giving quality care to all. She was known for her ethics, her leadership, her compassionate care, and her enduring service.

Kathy was a life-long Christian and was baptized into the Lutheran Church. Over the years she served in church congregations as a member of the Session, Treasurer and faithful congregant. She served as the Parish Nurse for two congregations and was beloved by all who knew her. She made West End United Methodist Church her final church home. Her dedication to serving the underserved in her community and in the world was at the heart of her devotion to Christ, the Good Shepherd.

Kathy’s life was filled with adventure. She travelled to over 50 countries, put her feet on six continents, visited all 50 states and 39 US National Parks. Kathy loved nature and God’s creation, especially those places where water flowed: lakes and streams, waterfalls, and oceans. Exploring the world both near and far with family and friends fed her soul. Returning home after each adventure brought her peace and solace. It is there she found her true anchor and was nurtured by a beloved community. Kathy’s quick wit, sense of humor, kindness, the gift of hospitality, and her good heart were a corner stone of her being. In addition to all things travel, she enjoyed photography, reading mysteries, having gatherings with friends, and creating a home that served as a respite for many where she always welcomed everyone. Kathy was known for her love of dogs and her current dogs, Arabella Bumble and Bitzer Sweedlepipe, her Goddog Grace Rose, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, held a special place in her heart. They served as a comfort to her always.

Kathy is survived by her Co-Journer in life, Dr. Sharon L. Shields: Cousins, Kirsten Bergemann (Konny) and their children, Julius and Reuben of Buchen, Germany; Carla Fussell and Stephanie Cook of Cullman, Alabama; Rev. Bonnie McCrickard (Matthew) of Granbury, Texas. She is also survived by the Shields Family: Raymond Shields (Teri), Brandon, Bennett, and Mallory of Nashville, TN. Kathy is survived by many other family members and friends in both the US and Germany and an abundance of dear friends who were family to her.

A special note of Gratitude is extended to her faithful Nurse Practioner, Dana DeMoss, WHNP-BC and the Staff of TN Oncology, her care team from Alive Hospice, the Doctors and Nurses of St. Thomas Hospital and Vanderbilt Medical Center, especially her PCP’s Dr. Craig Sussman and Dr. Paula Hermann. Gratitude is expressed for her caregivers from Stay Home Care, and Dr. Alan Davenport and the staff of IV Solutions. To the Peabody College- Vanderbilt community, gratitude is expressed for their steadfast love and care over many years. Gratitude is also extended to the Pastoral Staff and members of West End United Methodist Church for their faithful ministry to Kathy. And gratitude to those friends and family who came from out of town to give abiding love and care to Kathy throughout her time of need.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 3:00 pm at West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203 (The service will be live streamed at westendumc.org/livestream) A Visitation and Reception at the church will follow. On Monday November 3, 2025 at 3:00 pm, a graveside service and burial will be held at the Cullman City Cemetery, 9th Street SW, Cullman, AL, 35055, Prior to the graveside service, a luncheon for those attending the service will be provided from 1:00-2:30 pm , at Cullman First United Methodist Church, 320 Third Street Southeast, Cullman, AL 35055.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: West End United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN, Ovarian Cancer Research Association (OCRA), Alive Hospice, Nashville, TN, Tennessee Oncology Ascension Saint Thomas Cancer Fund, or a charity of your choosing.