Katie’s Story

Site created on January 4, 2012

Thank you for visiting Katie's site.  We've created it to keep friends and family updated about our loved one. Get started by reading the introduction to our website, My Story.

Visit often to read the latest journal entries, visit the photo gallery, and write her a note in our guestbook.



  As we all may know, life for Kate this past year has been a tremendous roller-coaster; we're climbing another hill now. After coming home to Minnesota from Timisoara Romania, Katie was accepted to the International Sustainable Development Masters Program at SIT Institute in Washington D.C. In the midst of fall semester, the director of her program invited Katie to go to Ahmedabad, Gujarat India for graduate research, set to leave January 5th.



  The day after finals, December 23rd, her left arm began to swell and she was experiencing severe chest pains.  Upon admittance to the E.R. at George Washington University Hospital in D.C., doctors discovered 3 blood clots in Katie’s neck and attributed them to her hormonal birth control; they prescribed blood thinners and sent her home.  Kate subsequently cancelled her trip to India and decided to leave for Austin, Texas to visit our parents.  On the plane ride she experienced a painful burning sensation again in her chest.  Within an hour of arrival, Dec. 31st, she was back in the hospital where a CT scan revealed a large, 7x9 cm, mass in her chest.  After a biopsy and 5 days in the ICU at Cedar Park Regional, Katie was discharged and immediately flown to Minnesota to get results and treatment at Mayo Clinic. The clots are thought to be a result of pressure the mass is putting on her Jugular Vein.  We are currently at St.Mary’s-Mayo focusing on managing her pain, monitoring the fluid surrounding her heart, and WAITING for biopsy results from Texas…Although brief, I hope I answered a lot questions.  Kate is immensely relieved to be back home near family and friends; thank you again for all your messages, thoughts, and well-wishes!  I will leave updates as news comes.



Newest Update

Final Entry

Journal entry by Jenna Bofferding —

" GO CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DREAMS! 
LIVE THE LIFE YOU'VE ALWAYS IMAGINED. "
-Henry David Thoreau 

Lymphoma caused unexpected complications leading to a sudden deterioration of Katie's health. She died late Tuesday night. 

We were blessed to have Katie for 26 years, but she has left her temple to embark on the next journey. We find peace in knowing her father will be waiting. 

Join us as we celebrate her life this Sunday, April 7th at 
SEVEN Event Center in downtown Minneapolis from 1PM - 4PM. 

700 Hennepin Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Per Katie's wishes, there will be an opportunity for all to 
speak and share any stories or memories.

All donations & flowers may be directed to:
18797 97th Place N 
Maple Grove, MN 55311


Read More of the journal titled "Final Entry"
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