Catherine (Kate) Elizabeth Wolfe-Jenson, 65, of Minneapolis – artist, writer, teacher, and lifelong student -- died Feb. 26 at United Hospital in St. Paul, her hands held by her husband Ralph and daughter Alexis. She was hospitalized with pneumonia on Monday, Feb. 16, and chose to move into palliative care at the hospital a few days later.
During her last week, with amazing joy, peace, love and humor, Kate said goodbye to a host of family and friends. For those she was unable to see, she said, her last words to them were, “I love you. Bye-bye.”
Kate was an artist and writer since childhood, when she wrote, directed and acted in plays with neighborhood kids. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at age 20 while in college, her journey became exploring the intersection of creativity, spirituality and healing. That has led to three books, starting in 2008 with “Dancing with Monsters: Chronic Illness as Creative Transformation.” For some years she wrote a blog and monthly newsletter, the last one sent out Feb. 7. Unable to use her arms and legs for about a decade, Kate learned to use her mouth to hold a paintbrush and push a joystick to drive her wheelchair. She used her voice and facial gestures to operate her computer. She also has taught frequent workshops about creative journaling for people with disabilities, and led weekly online meditation sessions, the final one from her hospital bed.
She was a Buddhist and active member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) in Minneapolis.
Kate was born Jan. 12, 1961, in River Falls, Wis., to M. Wayne and Marian (Bennett) Wolfe. She attended K-12 schools there, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and received her master’s degree from St. Mary’s University Minneapolis campus.
In addition to her husband Ralph Jenson and daughter Alexis Jenson, Kate is survived by brother Charles (Mary) Wolfe in Prescott, Wis., brother Warren Wolfe (Sheryl Fairbanks) in Roseville, Minn., and sister Mary Bates (Jim) in Seaside, Ore., as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and scores of friends.
Throughout her life, Kate expressed her gratitude and love for her family and so many friends and teachers that enriched her life. While her first choice would not have been to die now, she said, she was at peace with the process and timing. To read Kate’s brief bio in her own words and some of her writing, go to “about” at journeydancing.com.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Friends Meeting, 4401 York Ave. S., Minneapolis – a celebration of Kate’s life through silent meditation and spoken shared memories. The service will be available on Zoom, with the link listed on her Caring Bridge page. In lieu of flowers, Kate suggested donating to SavetheMonarchs.org.
