Kathleen Claire (Murray) Dostal

A Funeral Service for Kathleen C. Dostal, 80, of Badger, MN, will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Badger, MN. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, 5-7 PM, with a 6:30 PM prayer service at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, MN.

Kathleen Claire (Murray) Dostal, 80, of Badger, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on April 17, 2026.

Kathleen, better known as Kathy, was born on June 1, 1945, in Fargo, North Dakota, to Clifford and Frances (Zirnhelt) Murray. Her childhood was filled with change and movement as Clifford’s work at grain elevators took the family across the Midwest and into California. Eventually, the family settled near Hillsboro, North Dakota, where Kathy graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1963.

On Oct 10, 1964, Kathy married the love of her life, James (Jim) Dostal, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro.  Their story began a year earlier when Kathy was visiting her brother Bill, then principal of Badger High School. Jim first laid eyes on her at Friday mass and their shared Catholic devotion became the cornerstone of a partnership that spanned more than 61 years. Together, Kathy and Jim built a life rooted in love, faith, hard work, and deep commitment to family and community while raising three sons on their farm near Badger.

Kathy’s life was a quiet testimony to love in action- as a homemaker, farmwife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. There was a quiet pride in a well-kept home, enjoyment in feeding those gathered around the table, and purpose in showing up for the people who mattered most. Life’s simple pleasures brought Kathy the greatest happiness: bingo afternoons at the Badger Community Center, solving computer word games, volunteering with the Rollag Steam Threshers Reunion, visiting with loved ones, and countless hours spent cooking and baking.

Kathy’s kitchen was a place of comfort and generosity.  She had a rare gift in the kitchen, able to turn whatever waited in her cupboards into something comforting and delicious, often guided more by instinct and love rather than by measuring cups.  Known as an excellent cook, baker, and talented cake decorator, shelves were lined with cookbooks, yet her best recipes lived in memory and intuition.  When Jim returned home with buckets of fresh picked berries, Kathy would turn them into desserts and jams meant to be shared. The four grandsons who grew up on the same farm were daily visitors, frequently checking the cookie jar to see what surprise awaited them.

Family was Kathy’s greatest joy and deepest calling.  She watched her eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren grow with wonder and pride, lifting each of them in prayer and holding them close to her heart. Her faith was not only spoken – it was lived. A devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Badger, Kathy gave her time serving with St. Anne’s Sodality, teaching religious education, and singing in the choir.

Those who knew Kathy will forever remember her joyful, infectious laugh.  It could fill a room, ease a worry, and remind everyone nearby that joy was meant to be shared.  That laughter now lives on in our memories.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Jim Dostal; sons: Mark (Charlene) Dostal of Frisco, TX; Jeff (Deanne) Dostal of Fargo, ND; and Tom (Cari) Dostal of Badger, MN; grandchildren: Danielle Dostal and Alex Dostal of Frisco, TX; Kayla (Robb) Stautz of St. Louis Park, MN; Brett Dostal of Dent, MN; Brendon (Abbie) Dostal of Greeley, CO; Devin (Emily) Dostal of Detroit Lakes, MN; and Seth (Mallori) Dostal and Kobe Dostal of Badger, MN.  She is also survived by her cherished great-granddaughters Elsie and Jolaina Dostal of Detroit Lakes, MN; extended family including sisters-in-law Margaret Kuznia, Edwardine Szklarski, Lillian Kuznia, and Lois Dostal as well as many nieces and nephews. Also surviving is her beloved dog, Candy, who provided daily comfort and companionship in recent years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Frances Murray; brothers, Bill (Mary) Murray and Bob (Darlyne) Murray; and sisters, Grace (Kermit) Wolden and Betty Jane Murray. She is also preceded in death by her brother-in-law Bernard Dostal and her sisters-in-law Virginia Szklarski and Julianna Kuznia.

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