Kathryn Elmquist

MADISON - Kathryn Ann Elmquist, age 84, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Jan. 19, 1938, in Monroe, Wis., the daughter of Michael and Florence (Sullivan) McGuire.

Kathryn graduated from Monroe High School in 1956. She earned her associates degree from Spencerian Business College in Milwaukee in 1973 while working full time and raising five children. She married Andrew “Nick” Elmquist on Aug. 27, 1977, at St. Victor’s Parish in Monroe, Wis. Kathryn worked at Monona Grove State Bank, which subsequently became Valley Bank. After retiring early, she worked as president of the company her husband began, Elmquist Electronics (later Great Lakes Radio). As an entrepreneur, she then founded her company, KCOMM, and then Nature’s Luxuries which was primarily located in Las Vegas, where she and Nick owned a home for twenty years and looked forward to spending winters there.

She enjoyed having lunch into later life with her former coworkers, “the Valley Girls,” and belonged to a number of business associations. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cottage Grove.

Kathryn was a strong woman. She loved her family, had a deep Catholic faith and was proud of her Irish heritage. She was a devoted wife who supported her husband in everything he did. Likewise, Nick supported her in everything she did. She was adored by her children and grandchildren.  

Kathryn is survived by her husband, Nick; daughters, Elizabeth Steele and Ann Larson (Keary Bilka); son, Steve (Julie) Larson; daughter-in-law, Patricia Larson; grandchildren, Sarah, James, Joseph, Nolan and Michael Larson, Abbey (Kyle) Krenz, Melissa (Nick Schwandt) and Molly (Ethan Clark) Moen; and great-grandchildren, Kapri and Krew Krenz, and Warren Bilka. She is further survived by her sister, Marie (Kenton) Potts; and sister-in-law, Gloria McGuire. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Richard Larson; daughter, Kelly Moen; brother, James McGuire; and brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Nancy McGuire and Joseph and Shirley McGuire.

Visitation will be held at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, 434 N. Main St., Cottage Grove, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens. A luncheon will be held to honor Kathryn’s life after the burial service at the church.

A special thank you to Jessica Pestor-Coates, (Jessicares), Kathryn’s caregiver and friend, the doctors and staff at Wildwood Clinic, and the hospice staff at St. Mary's Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420