Kathi Densow Arnold

KATHI DENSOW ARNOLD

Age 53, died at home in Red River on Monday, April 13 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born June 10, 1955 in Waukesha, WI. to Ken and Alyce Densow, Kathi grew up in Pewaukee, WI. While attending Pewaukee High School, Kathi was very active in school activities, winning state-level awards for drama. After high school, Kathi attended the University of Wisconsin in Waukesha. In 1976 she transferred to the University of Oklahoma, from which she graduated with a degree in Psychology. While living in Norman, Kathi started her spiritual studies at The Lotus Center, and also became a licensed massage therapist. Kathis first marriage to Gerard Rateau produced two children, Amber and Dylan. After a divorce, Kathi and her children moved to Red River in 1988. Kathi met Dirk Arnold two months after moving to Red River, and they were married from May 4 of 1989 until her death.

During her years in Red River Kathi was active in the family business, The Red River Inn and Shops. She starred as the heroine in the Melodrama for many years, and was a massage therapist. In 2001 Kathi and her husband Dirk opened The Candy Crate, an old fashioned candy store featuring home-made fudge, and in 2007 they purchased the Red River Inn and Shops from her mother, Alyce Densow. Kathi was active in the Red River community, being a Cub Scout Den Mother, a member of The Red River Riding Club, The Womens Club, the Red River Historical Society, and The Friends Of The Library.

Kathis true love was Mountain Institute, a meditation school founded by Kathi and her brother Jerry in 1988. Kathi was Co-Spiritual Director with Jerry until 2004, when she assumed sole directorship of the school. Students from around the world will miss the humor, compassion and unconditional love Kathi brought to her ministry.

Kathi will be remembered for many things, among them her infectious laugh, her love of flamingos and Bob Dylan, and her unyielding faith in God. But most of all shell be remembered as a woman of extraordinary strength. In 1982, 1985, and 1994 Kathi was diagnosed with cancer, and each time she fought it into remission. She lived for 27 years beyond her initial diagnosis, and even though she was given a short life expectancy in 1982, she saw her children grow up and enjoyed two grandsons. Only a fourth occurrence in 2007 was too much, but she fought with all she had for over a year.

Kathi is survived by her husband Dirk, son Dylan Rateau, daughter Amber (Rama) Sibley and children Aidan and Ryder, mother Alyce Densow, brother Jerry (Debbie) Densow, sister Linda (Ed) Saint. Other survivors include mother-in-law Mary Arnold, brother-in-law Matthew (Linda) Arnold, nieces Sara (Brandon) Hogan, Clare Densow, and Heidi Keller, and nephews Pilgrim ( Megan) Densow, Mariah Densow, and Joshua Densow, aunts and uncles Lonny and Dorothy Lindberg, Darryl Lindberg, and Marilyn Kleutz, many great nephews and nieces and other relatives. Kathi was preceded in death by her father Ken, brother Steven, niece Tara Arnold, and grandparents Verner and Alyce Lindberg, and Edwin and Anna Densow.

In lieu of flowers, Kathis family requests that donations be made to The Mountain Institute Fundraising Account at Peoples Bank, an account used to help others in need.

The family wishes to thank the Integrated Health Medical Center of Santa Fe, the hospitalists, staff, and the Wound Care Center of Holy Cross Hospital, and especially the Hospice Staff of Mountain Home Health Care, all of whom provided care and comfort to Kathi and Dirk.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held on Saturday, April 18 at the Red River Conference Center in Red River.