Katherine Elaine Bernard passed away on May 10, 2026 at Callaway Gardens in Kennewick, WA. She was born to Philip A. Stoltenberg and Laura M. Stoltenberg on Jan 21, 1953 in Stewartville, Minnesota.

Raised on her parents' farm in southern Minnesota, Kathy was not your typical farm girl. Her emphasis leaned more to music and her mother's piano, spending many hours practicing at the keyboard. After graduating from Grand Meadow High school in 1971, Kathy moved on to Concordia College at Moorhead, MN, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree cum laud in 1975. She soon moved to Washington State, Tri-Cities and found employment in the Pasco School District teaching music in elementary schools as a roving music teacher. She eventually was employed by Bethlehem Lutheran School in various teaching grades. Early in her arrival in WA she met her future husband, Steven Bernard.

Eventually Kathy transitioned into establishing her own music teaching business in the home. Over the years Kathy taught innumerable young students while also raising her own children: Daniel, Elizabeth, and Joel. She also was an accomplished pianist, organist, choir director, and music director at Kennewick's First Lutheran and Lord of Life Lutheran churches. She served one term as Tri-Cities Music Teachers Assoc. president and was active in the Organists Guild.

Kathy was a devoted and loving mother to her children, nurturing them in their own accomplishments, and was a devoted and loving wife for Steven.

Kathy is survived by her husband Steven, sons Daniel and Joel, daughter Elizabeth, sister Darlene (Gene) Merkel, brother Kim (Pam) Stoltenberg, sister Lynne Stoltenberg, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Laura and Philip Stoltenberg and brother Daryl Stoltenberg.

Kathy's viewing will be held at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home on Friday, May 29th from 4:00pm – 8:00pm. The Memorial Service will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Saturday, May 30th at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Kathy's memory to Bethlehem Lutheran Scholarship (B Fund). Checks should be made out to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, noted for BLSEF – B Fund.