Obituary: Kathleen Ann Lengol

Kathleen Ann Lengol of Rutland, Vermont passed away peacefully March 27, 2021, at Our House Residential Care. She was born March 27, 1945, in Cloquet, the daughter of Howard and Irene (Granvick) Ross.

Kathleen graduated from Cloquet High School in 1963. She was active in many school activities and had a special interest in music, being a participant in orchestra and marching band with special performances in Milwaukee and Winnipeg. Kathleen was inducted into the National Honor Society. She earned her bachelor of science degree in home economics education from the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus in 1967. She went on to teach in Two Harbors, and then, beginning in 1975, in Vermont at Wallingford, Mill River Union, and Clarendon schools. She retired in 1997.

Kathleen married George Lengol on August 1, 1987 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cloquet.

She was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir, Handel’s Messiah; was assistant minister and lector; participated in Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and bible study; taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday school; and served on the Koinonia Board and numerous committees over the years.

Kathleen was a member and volunteer at the Paramount Theater, the Bridges & Beyond program at Rutland Regional Medical Center, and the Rutland Historical Society. She participated in the Vermont Retired Education Association, Rutland County EAC, American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma International, Gamma Chapter. She was president and involved in other leadership roles in her teacher and economic organizations. She was proud of her Finnish heritage, especially St. Urho, patron saint of Finland. Celebrations were held every March 16 with friends — fun times.

Kathleen performed the small kindnesses that most left undone, never knowing how far a little kindness would go. Kathy’s nurturing went to all children she knew in school, her church and community, which resulted in making lifelong friends. She led a full, rich life dedicated to family and community.

Kathy was an accomplished seamstress, making stylish outfits for her family, and fashioned her wedding gown and made many pairs of properly hemmed pants.

She demonstrated her creative spirit by writing encouraging greeting and get-well cards, and special music. Other special interests were summer concerts, arts and crafts, extensive traveling, photography and outdoor activities.

Kathleen and her husband traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and many countries in Europe. Significant trips included a Mill River Exchange program with students in Moscow, Russia, and trips to Finland and the Ukraine with her husband, researching his genealogy roots.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Irene Ross of Cloquet; sister, Barbara Ross; and sister-in-law, Vicki (Gary) of Cloquet.

She is survived by her husband, George R. Lengol, of Rutland; two brothers, Dale Ross (Gail) and Gary Ross, both ofCloquet; niece, Courtney Ross of St. Petersburg, Florida; nephew, Jeffrey Ross of Cloquet; a stepdaughter, Staff Sgt. Susan Leith, USAF, Retired, of Charleston, South Carolina; and several cousins and family relatives in Minnesota and California.

The private funeral service will be held in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at the convenience of the family. Burial will be at a later date at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cloquet. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 6 Church Hill Road, Rutland VT 05701, or the Rutland Community Cupboard, 65 River St., Rutland VT 05701. Arrangements are under the direction of Tossing Funeral Home of Rutledge, Vermont, and Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet.