Kathleen Ann Dion

Kathleen Ann Duvick was born November 2, 1937, in Fosston, Minnesota, to William and Carrie Duvick and was youngest of three sisters. She spent her childhood and most of her teen years in Fosston. She graduated with honors from Fosston High School in 1955. Having been reared in the Lutheran faith, Kathleen grew up very religious, read her Bible, prayed, and attended church faithfully. After graduation from high school, she was inspired by her mom's example to pursue a nursing degree from Northwestern University, where she graduated with highest honors. It was while working at Northwestern she met and fell in love with Richard Dion. Their relationship began when Kathleen asked Richard what he was carrying in his pocket. He replied, "Bible memory verses." They soon began memorizing verses, and during this time, Richard expressed to her his desire to be a pastor One night while memorizing John 1:12. Kathleen became convicted that though she was religious and went to church faithfully, she had never accepted Christ as her personal Saviour. She immediately knelt down by her bed and accepted Christ in her heart. Instantly she developed a burden for lost souls. From this point on in her life, she would never be the same, and shared Jesus Christ and Salvation with everyone she met. Soon after their marriage in 1956, Kathleen enrolled as a full time student in Nurses Training at Northwestern. Then the time came that Richard was activated by the Naval Reserve, and Kathleen stayed behind in Minneapolis and completed her training. In 1959 she went to work as a Nurse at Owatonna City Hospital. In 1960 their first child, Rock, was born and in 1962 Jeff was born. Both of them were born in Owatonna during Richard's college years. In 1963 Kathleen, now a pastor's wife in Elkton South Dakota worked only occasionally as a Nurse. She helped start the Junior Astronaut program for the church kids in Elkton. Numerous kids came to know Christ as their Saviour through her work. She also assisted Richard in the children’s V.B.S. In 1967 they were called by Fairview Baptist Church, and they moved to Great Falls, Montana. Kathleen started working at the Deaconess Hospital briefly, but mostly she concentrated on raising her 5 children. Julie, Jeanne and Carolee were born during the Elkton years; while Daniel and David were born in the early years of the Fairview ministry. Some of the ministries Kathleen helped start at Fairview were: The Junior Church, The Young Married Couples, Bible Time Evening Jr. Church, the Ladies Sunday School Class, and for many years she helped put together children’s V.B.S. In 1983 she started the LADIES EXTRAVAGANZA which was held annually for over 30 years. Literally hundreds of ladies from across Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North & South Dakota, Washington and California were blessed spiritually from this yearly event. Kathleen also taught at both Treasure State Academy and Mountain States Baptist College for many years. She was a gifted National Sword of the Lord ladies conference speaker and was widely known as a tremendous soulwinner!

Survivors include 7 children & spouses. Rock Dion & Tammy of Loveland, CO. Jeff Dion & Kathryn of Great Falls, MT. Julie Alexander & Jeff of Loveland,CO. Jeanne Nichols & Steve of Roseville,CA. Carolee Hemphill & David of Oswego,IL. Daniel Dion and Leesa of Sacramento,CA. David Dion & Kim of Loveland CO. 29 Grandchildren, 42 Great Grandchildren One sister, Jeanne Walter of Tacoma WA. She was preceded in death by her parents, William & Carrie Duvick, sister, Dorothy Minier & Dr. Richard Dion,her husband of 67 years.

Memorial Service: Saturday, October 21,2023 at 11:00 a.m. Luncheon to follow Elmwood Baptist Church 13100 E. 144th Avenue Brighton, CO. 80601