Katherine Alice Vevang

Katherine was born in Los Angeles, CA to the late Earl and Carrie Melick (Westover). She grew up in San Gabriel, CA and later in Dallas, OR. In the summer she would pick crops near Dallas and worked at the creamery. After graduating from Dallas High School in 1949 she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cascade College in 1953 then earned a Master of Religious Education at Western Evangelical Seminary in 1957. She taught elementary school at Red Bird Mission in SE Kentucky from 1958 to 1968.

In 1968 she moved to Tampa, FL as she was led to teach in the inner city of Tampa at Rosa Valdez. She met Richard Vevang in Tampa and in 1970 they were married in Cape Coral, FL. Kathy was an active member at Lake Magdalene UMC in Tampa, FL. Kathy was a LMUMW board member-mission coordinator for social action. In her role as coordinator, she was involved in all the circles including Lamplighter, Mary Martha and Naomi circles. Also volunteered at the UMW craft fair and flea market. Was a member of the Friendship Sunday School class. She was a coord in the early years of the Wonder Walk for Cornerstone Ministries. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Salvation Army for many years and also scheduling bell ringers during Christmas Time at Lake Magdalene. Kathy helped deliver meals for Meals on Wheels. She had a talent for encouraging people to become more involved in missionary outreach. Kathy was also a long time member/board member of the Sons of Norway Tampa Bay Lodge. In the 1970s and 80s she sold World Book encyclopedia and enjoyed getting out and meeting people.

For about fifteen years Kathy & Richard enjoyed RVing. They belonged to an RV group in Tampa called the Rig Runners and would look forward to their local camping trips together with the group. In the summer they would travel with their RV up to Minnesota to visit their son, Rick. Often taking their time and enjoying the scenic highways. She loved playing board games such as Scrabble and Yahtzee.

In 2019 they sold their home in Tampa and moved to Maplewood, MN to be close to her family. In November 2024, Kathy & Richard moved again to New Ulm, MN to remain close to family. She is survived by her husband Richard; son Rick and daughter-in-law Karin; grandchildren Rachel (6yrs old) and Hannah (2 yrs old). In addition to her parents Earl and Carrie Melick she is preceded in death by her brother Myron Melick.

Funeral service will be Thursday May 29th at 1PM at Lake Magdalene Church in Tampa, FL. Niche-side service will be held at Coral Ridge Cemetery at 10AM on May 30th in Cape Coral, FL.