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KATHLEEN ANN Family and friends of Kathleen Ann Blummer celebrated her life at Faith Lutheran Church in Albuquerque on August 19, 2007. Kathy passed peacefully from this life into God's arms on August 8, 2007. Kathy was born on April 17, 1945 in Iowa Falls, IA to Julia and Art Thorsbakken. She graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1963, and then attended Ellsworth Junior College for two years. In 1967 she graduated the University of Iowa with a bachelor's of art degree. Kathy met the love of her life while in college, and she married Terry Blummer from Hammond, IN in 1971. Kathy and Terry were thrilled when their daughter, Emily, was born in 1979. Tragically, Terry passed away in 1980 after a long battle with cancer. Kathy bravely took on her new role as a single parent. She and Emily moved to Albuquerque in 1982, where Kathy began working as a counselor in the Albuquerque Public Schools. Throughout her career, Kathy had a positive impact on many children, their parents and teachers as she helped them deal with educational, social and family issues. Kathy received a lung transplant in 2005 at the CU Hospital in Denver, CO. When it became clear in 2007 that her new lung was failing, Kathy talked openly about her impending death. She taught all those around her how to deal with illness and death with both courage and dignity. Throughout her illness, family and friends visited her frequently. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Vernon,; her sister, Norma; and her beloved husband, Terry. She is survived by her daughter, Emily; sister, Julie Horning; three sisters-in-law; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews in the Thorsbakken and Blummer families. Kathy talked in her last few days about the incredible power of faith and friendship, knowing that she was in God's arms as she passed from this life into the next. Contributions may be made to New Mexico Donor Services, c/o Maria Saunders, 2715 Broadbent Pkwy NE, Suite H, Albuquerque, NM, 87107.
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