Kathy (Jensen) Cordes
Kathy (Jensen) Cordes, age 78, died peacefully on July 10, 2022 in Rapid City, South Dakota with her husband, Kirk, at her side. The family’s backbone, Kathy excelled at being executive planner, creative director, trouble shooter and consummate supporter to all who were fortunate enough to be in her network of family and friends. She loved reading, movies, traveling with family and friends, children and horses.
She was born Mary Kathryn Devine on January, 25, 1944 on the military base in Carlsbad, NM, to Margie G. (Volberding) and Lawrence H. Devine of Humboldt, Iowa. Her father was a WWII army pilot, and Kathy spent much of her infancy with her mother and grandparents. Following his death in combat, Margie remarried Alvin Jensen, who became Kathy’s adoptive father. The family settled in Rapid City where she attended primary school through her graduation from Central High School in 1962. She spent her leisure time as a teenager listening to country music, attending country dances, and riding horses with her girlfriends.
A fondness for the Western lifestyle and an interest in early childhood education drew her to the University of Wyoming where she received her teaching degree in 1966. During this time, Kathy became acquainted with the love of her life, Kirk Cordes. One of their first conversations was an argument over which cattle breed was superior – black Angus or Hereford. Kathy and Kirk were married August 12, 1967. The young couple lived in Rapid, Hot Springs, Brookings and near Frazee, MN before ultimately settling down at their ranch north of Wall in 1974. The property was previously owned and operated by Kathy’s maternal grandparents, Duze & Eva Volberding of Humboldt, IA. In her early childhood, she would visit the ranch spending summer days playing in the barn and riding horses with her cousin. It was befitting that she and Kirk build their lives on this ranch, where eventually Kathy’s love and preference for black Angus cattle dominated over Kirk’s herd of Herefords.
Kathy was passionate about working with children and planning curricula to enrich their educational experience. She taught in various locations including Rock Springs, WY, Head Start in Rapid City and elementary school in New Underwood. Kathy also taught a free preschool program in Wall called “Story Hour” which was beloved by many children in the community for years.
Kathy thrived as a rancher’s wife and partner in the business of raising cattle, horses, haying, and overseeing the household, which included two children, Wendy and Spencer. She spent countless hours supporting them in their school and sports activities, volunteering with their 4-H club, and helping with community events. When her grandchildren emerged on the scene, her devotion to family reached new heights.
In her lifetime, Kathy was so much more than the Alzheimer’s disease that consumed her later years. A daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend -- Kathy was steadily there to counsel, nurture and put others first. She loved the South Dakota prairie and was an expert in plain’s grasses and plants. Kathy also had a way of noticing and finding delight in the little things in life and took time to share those joys with those she loved.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Kirk, of Rapid City and her children and grandchildren: daughter, Wendy Abbott of Fort Collins, CO (husband Jim, children Reece and Eva), son, Spencer Cordes of Wall (wife Paige, children Kipp, Piper, Gatlin and Sutton); Kathy’s brother, Bruce Jensen (Irmi), and many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and family. She is predeceased by her parents and grandparents.
Her family thanks the exceptional staff of Peaceful Pines Senior Living and Stillwater Hospice in Rapid City. To honor Kathy, memorial gifts can be directed in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org or to Youth and Family Services, Head Start Program, https://yfs-we-help-kids.networkforgood.com
Memorial visitation will be Thursday, July 14, 2022 from 1:00 – 2:00pm at the Wall Community Center in Wall, SD.
