Kathleen Ellen Maschka

Kathleen Ellen Maschka, 83, a longtime resident of Mankato, Minnesota, died on August 17, 2026 in Lakeville, Minnesota, with her husband of 61 years and three adult daughters by her side.

Kathleen was born in Mauston, Wisconsin in 1943 to Charles Power Curran and Ellen Galvin Curran and was raised there along with younger siblings John, Ann and Patrick. Kathleen attended Madonna High School in Mauston, where she proved to be a brilliant and naturally talented pianist, and starred in many high school plays. Her interest in theater and music continued throughout her life.

She attended St. Catherine's College in St. Paul, Minnesota. There, she met her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Maschka after seeing him on the football field and insisting her friend set them up. Jerry quickly realized his extraordinary fortune in meeting Kathleen, and they were married on September 4, 1965 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Mauston, Wisconsin.

After a brief stint in Iowa and the Twin Cities, she and Jerry made Mankato their home after Jerry graduated from law school in 1971. Their three daughters, Kristin, Sarah and Jane, all grew up in Mankato, graduating from Washington Elementary School and Mankato East High School.

Kristin, Sarah and Jane are very different, yet each felt uniquely understood by their mother. The sisters also grew up thinking it was normal to go to the Mankato Public Library multiple times a week with their personalized book totes. Kathleen extended that same individual attention and understanding to her grandchildren. Her piano playing on Christmas Eve will remain a core memory for multiple generations.

Kathleen was central to keeping family and friends connected. Throughout the 1970’s, 80’s and early 90's, Kathleen ensured that their house on the Mulberry Street hilltop was a loving and accepting space - not just for their own daughters - but also for their friends, classmates, and teammates. Many of them affectionately referred to her as a second mom and counted on her to provide good advice, plenty of snacks, and to have a purse stocked with whatever they might need on game day. She was a fixture on the sidelines during the “million” softball games Jerry coached and the girls played, keeping the scorebook and encouraging every player. Her support was not limited to the softball field - she continued her interest in and support of the lives of the young people close to her even as they became adults.

Kathleen advocated for all young people in the community. She served three terms on the Board for Mankato Area Public Schools. During her time on the school board, she championed bringing girls hockey to Mankato Schools and worked to ensure all kids in Mankato had access to an education on par with the nation's top schools.

Many knew Kathleen for her kindness and generosity. Those close to her remember her sharp wit, sense of irony, and talent for the unexpected dry and hilarious remark. Extraordinarily intelligent, Kathleen was a voracious reader, who, in a typical week, devoured three daily newspapers, multiple books, and countless magazines.

She was loved and respected by all lucky enough to know her, and by her family most of all. She is survived by her husband Jerry, their three daughters, Kristin Maschka (David Hitchcock) of Palm Springs, California, Sarah Maschka (Brian Hansen) of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Jane Maschka (Brian Weaver) of Golden Valley, Minnesota, her six beloved grandchildren, Katherine Maschka Hitchcock, Jack, Kyra and Mia Hansen, Trent and Tess Weaver, and siblings Patrick and Ann Curran. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Ellen Curran and her brother John Curran.

The family will host a Celebration of Life on August 29, 2026 from 2:30-5 pm, with remarks at 3:30 pm, Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home,104 1st St W, Jordan, MN 55352. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Educare, the nonprofit that supports Mankato Area Public Schools either via mail (Educare Foundation P.O. Box 241 Mankato, MN 56002) or using the Donate Today button at https://www.educarefoundation.org/