Kathryn “Kathy” (Hulsebus) Ahrendt, of Lincoln, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024, at the age of 75. Kathy was born on January 3, 1949, to Gail and Helen Hulsebus. Her early years were spent in Lincoln before the family relocated to California and eventually settled in Sioux City, Iowa.
Kathy graduated from East High School in Sioux City, where she was a proud twirler in the marching band and a standout on the swimming and diving team. She went on to attend Dana College, where she met the love of her life, Paul Ahrendt. They married and moved to Lincoln in 1970, where Kathy embraced her role as a supportive partner in Paul’s business ventures while raising their five children with unwavering devotion.
Kathy was a woman of many talents and passions. A dedicated ATA Taekwondo instructor, she inspired discipline and confidence in her students. Later, she pursued her love of language by studying American Sign Language, which led to a fulfilling career as an interpreter for the deaf at Sheridan Lutheran Church. Kathy’s kindness, patience, and joy shone brightly in her work and her relationships. In retirement, she cherished her time spent with her twelve grandchildren, who were the light of her life.
Kathy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul, and her parents, Gail and Helen Hulsebus, and her niece, Cori Hulsebus. She is survived by her brother, Ronald (Rikki) Hulsebus, sister-in-law Mary (Ahrendt) Barton and her five children: Travis (Pam) Ahrendt, Tami (Gwendolyn) Lewis-Ahrendt, Traci (Andrew) Norum, Teri (David) Abbott, and Toni (Martin) Jensen. Her legacy lives on through her twelve cherished grandchildren: Tristan, Hunter, Miranda, Dakota, Henry, Jack, Archer, Brita, Kaia, Brody, Dennison, and Emmett. She is also survived by her nephews, Mark Barton and Andy Hulsebus.
Kathy’s life was a testament to love, perseverance, and generosity. Her memory will be treasured by all who knew her.
A visitation for Kathryn will be held Friday, December 27, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512. A memorial service will occur Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Sheridan Lutheran Church, 6955 Old Cheney Rd, Lincoln, Nebraska 68516. Memorials in Kathy’s honor are designated to The Grace Space, 1740 Superior St., Lincoln, NE 68521. Arrangements entrusted to Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home in Lincoln, Nebraska.
