Kathleen “Kathy” Michelle Edinger, 62, of Valley City, N.D., passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2026. Born in Devils Lake Oct. 20, 1963, and raised off of the third exit into Oberon, N.D., Kathy lived a life full of laughter, love, and an unmistakable mischievous energy that touched everyone who knew her.
To know Kathy was to know joy. She had an unforgettable, infectious laugh that lifted the mood of everyone around her. She was the life of every party, the one who made sure everyone felt included, and the friend who always showed up when it mattered most. Kathy loved to sing, dance, and have a good time and she did it all with a spirit that was entirely her own. And when the night was winding down, she was likely to slip out unannounced and undetected, leaving behind giant smiles and memorable stories in her wake.
Above all, Kathy was a caregiver at heart. For more than 30 years, she ran a daycare that became so much more than a job, it became a second home for countless children and families. She nurtured, comforted, taught, and loved many kids and parents over the years, each one leaving her care a little more confident and a little more loved than when they arrived. Her impact reaches far beyond what words can capture.
At home, Kathy was the loving wife to Pat Edinger, whom she married on June 17, 1989, and a best friend to her daughters, Erin and Ashten Edinger. Their favorite memories together will always be the countless concerts they went to, singing at the top of their lungs and occasionally following Kathy to the front as she rushed the stage. Kathy had a knack for crafting of all kinds. If she decided to try something new, she didn’t dabble, she dove in completely, mastering it with enthusiasm and joy. Her favorite days were spent at the lake with family and friends playing cards, blasting music on the pontoon, watching the hummingbirds, and taking as many golf cart rides as possible.
She is survived by her husband, Pat, and her daughters, Erin of Valley City, ND, and Ashten of West Fargo, ND; as well as her siblings Sandy Swenson (Dean), Ronnie Olson (Jan), and Leland Olson (Yvonne); her mother-in-law, Moneen Edinger; sister-in-law, Mary Edinger; along with one niece, five nephews, and many cousins who will carry her memory forward. She is also survived by the many children and families she cared for over the years as a daycare provider, who became an extension of her own family and will continue to feel the lasting impact of her love, guidance, and care.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mathilda and Clifford Wallace, and her father-in-law, Dennis Edinger, all of whom she held close in her heart.
Kathy’s life was defined not by titles or achievements, but by love, laughter, and the countless lives she touched along the way. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, joy, and connection that will continue to live on in the people who knew her.
A prayer service was held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, with visitation from 5:00–7:00 p.m. and service at 7:00 p.m.
A celebration of life funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the same church, with visitation from 12:30–1:30 p.m. and service at 1:30 p.m. A private livestream link is available; those interested should inquire through the family. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to remain after the burial for snacks, coffee, and Diet Coke while everyone shares stories and memories of Kathy.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Traditions Funeral Services, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com
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