Kathaleen Kay Harper (Ommen), known as "Kathy" to most of her friends and family, passed away quietly and peacefully at her home in Lead, SD after a long courageous battle with cancer on January 1, 2018. Stubborn, she kept her humor and grace until the end and will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Kathy was born July 29, 1949 to Karl and Alyce Ommen in Chamberlain, SD. She was the fourth of six children. Kathy loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed doing small home improvement projects, cooking big meals, and spending time at the local casinos with her longtime partner Fred Schroeder.

Kathy moved to the Lead-Deadwood area in her early childhood. She met and married Tom Harper when she was 16 and had four children Brad, Tammy, Tanya, and Tara. After twenty years of marriage, they parted ways. Kathy eventually met Fred and they enjoyed almost twenty-five years together before her passing. Fred loved Kathy to the end, devoting the last years of her life to her complete care.

She is survived by her lifelong partner, Fred Schroeder; son, Brad Harper, Carlsbad, NM; daughters, Tammy Harper Port Angeles, WA, Tanya (Preston) Schroeder, LeMars, IA, Tara Harper, Sturgis, SD; grandchildren, Wylie Harper, Amity Harlan, Alisa Harlan, Tyler Smith, Tanner Smith, Trevor Smith, Parker Schroeder, Haden Harper, Kennedy Harper, Kali Harper, Walter Harper, and Warren Harper; one great grandchild Zadie Leatherman; siblings, Pat (Kelly) Wood, Dixie (George) Matthew, Russell (Joyace) Ommen, Kenny (Kara) Ommen.

She is preceded in death by her parents Karl Ommen and Alyce Strege; stepfather, Ernest Strege; sister, Marlene Gibson; brother in law,  Ed Gibson;  Aunt,  Betty Dominiack; granddaughter, Bailey Harper; nephew,  Shane Ommen; and her first husband, Tom Harper.

There will be a gathering of friends and family at the VFW in Deadwood, SD on Friday January 5th, 2018 from 2pm to 4pm. The family invites you to join them in remembrance of Kathy. She will be greatly missed by all and forever in our hearts.