Kathleen Kaye (Harris) Stutts, age 78, of Bellevue, NE, passed away December 3, 2024, in Sioux Falls, SD, where she was hospitalized after suffering much pain from a number of medical problems: stage 4 cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and heart problems.

Kathleen was born in Lawrence, KS, on November 11, 1946, to Vernon "Jack" Harris and Anna May Tanner Harris. Along with Kathleen came a surprise twin sister, Claudia Ann.  Jack and Ann had chosen two names but had decided to assign a name when they saw the baby.  Following a C-section delivery, Jack came into their room, was quite surprised, and said to Ann, "I might have known you would get your way! You got your Claudia Ann, and I got my Kathleen Kaye!".

Kathleen was a state speech winner in 4-H and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1964.  She attended cosmetology school after high school. There she met her husband, Cole "Butch" Stutts. She and Claudia had a double wedding on July 1, 1966.

Cole and Kathleen followed Air Force assignments for 23 years, finally retiring in Bellevue, NE. While serving in Guam, their daughter Pamela was born in 1969.  Kathleen was the 'self-appointed' official family photographer, snapping thousands (or was it millions?) of pictures over the years capturing every family addition and gathering for posterity; supported Butch in his service to our country, was a cosmetologist in their early married years, a homemaker during Pam's childhood years, and worked many years in customer service and inventory management.  She loved attending family's extracurricular activities whenever possible and was their #1 fan, making every effort to attend every wedding, baptism, confirmation and family celebration. Kathleen was the proud grandmother to her three grandsons.

Kathleen and Cole shared 58 wonderful and loving years together.

Kathleen was a loving and caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend who dearly loved her family. She enjoyed dining out with her husband and family, recreating special family recipes – especially her yummy homemade caramel rolls – for loved ones and special occasions. Also, she found great joy in beautiful things, both material and in nature, such as beautiful flowers, butterflies, and sunsets.  She delighted in the companionship of her red toy poodle, Rosey. Kathleen quickly praised the Good Lord for the many blessings she enjoyed during her life.  She is greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Her beloved family includes the love of her life, Cole "Butch" Stutts, Jr.; daughter Pam Paulson and Boyd of Omaha, NE; grandsons Nate, Nick, and Thomas Olsen and their father Jon; her twin sister Claudia Mirabella (who blessed Kathleen with two brother's-in-law: Joe who passed in 1989 and Jim who passed in 2013); nephew Don Mirabella and Kristy of Lincoln, NE and their three daughters Sophia, Addison, and Delaney; her older sister, Barbara Kretschmer (d. 2007) and husband William "Bill" of Ethan, SD; nieces Tamara Millage and Craig of Connell, WA and their two daughters Emmalee and Eleanor; Cindy Speas and Mike of Ethan, SD, and daughters JackieAnn Helma (Tyler) and Heather; Denise Kretschmer; and Debra McCartney and Joe, daughter Aliea all of Ethan, SD;  great, great nieces and nephews: Jaden, Violet, Tanner, Von and Lucius; Boyd's daughters Kii, Kate, and Hallie and their families as well as many dear and treasured cousins.

A memorial service and interment will take place in the spring of 2025. Kathleen's final resting place will be in Lawrence, KS, near her beloved Mother and Daddy.

Memorial contributions can be made in Kathleen's honor to the Butterfly House & Aquarium, 4320 South Oxbow Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, www.butterflyhouseaquarium.org

"Rest in peace in God's loving arms, Kathleen."