Kathleen Ann Fossen

Kathleen (known as Kathy) was born on May 26th, 1939, in Rushford, Minnesota to Clarence and Catharine (James) Niggle. Kathy graduated from Rushford-Peterson High School in 1957. She attended the Methodist Kahler School of Nursing and graduated in the class of 1960. Shortly after, she moved to San Francisco, CA to practice nursing. While there, she met the love of her life, Gary Fossen from Winona, Minnesota. They married on her birthday in 1965 at the Rushford Lutheran Church. They continued to live in California where they started a family and had a son, Jay, in 1968 and a daughter, Wendy, in 1969. The family moved in 1971 to Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1976, they moved again to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Kathy and the family made one final move to Tampa, Florida in 1978. After spending a few years as a stay-at-home mom, Kathy decided to return to nursing. She obtained a job at Busch Gardens as an RN assisting guests as well as employees. She worked there for 21 years before retiring. She enjoyed all the people and relationships she made while there. Upon retirement, Kathy and Gary spent much time at their house on the Suwannee River. They enjoyed sitting on the dock on the river watching boats go by and spending time with their friends, Rick and Martha. She also enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters. Kathy was a very social lady and enjoyed spending time with her friends in the Red Hat Society. Kathy enjoyed attending church services at The First Reformed Church. After Gary passed, Kathy spent much time with neighborhood friends and dearly loved her dogs McGee and Ping.

Kathy is survived by her son, Jay Fossen, of Tampa; her daughter Wendy (Cesar) Yepes of Tampa; granddaughters Rachel Yepes and Emma Yepes of Tampa; nephews John Niggle of Naples, FL, and Larry Niggle of Apollo Beach, FL, and many other beloved family and friends.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Vince and her husband of 48 years, Gary.

Kathleen Fossen’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 7th at 1pm at First Reformed Church, 8283 W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL, 33615.