Ione Mae Kalstad

Ione Mae Kalstad, age 96, of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, was welcomed to her eternal home on November 29, 2025, surrounded by her loving children.

Ione was born on July 10, 1929 in Union Township, Iowa to Edward and Edna Schulze. She is survived by her children Danny Kalstad, Nancy (Dave) Pawlik, and Susan (Michael Berry) Leshovsky; her sister Norma Pike; 17 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren, with another expected in February. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Edward, her husband Paul, her son Timothy, her granddaughter Christina, and her great-grandson Koda.

Ione married the love of her life, Paul, on June 25, 1949. In 1960, they moved to Cottage Grove, where they raised their family and built a life together. Ione enjoyed traveling, feeding the birds, gardening (despite the squirrels and rabbits she was always chasing from her flowers), and cheering on Minnesota sports teams. She also loved settling in with a good Hallmark movie. More than anything, she cherished time spent with her family, which was her greatest joy.

Over the years, Ione worked as a secretary at the local high school, a real estate agent, and later a travel agent. She gave generously of her time, volunteering for many years with the SOWERs (Servants on Wheels Ever Ready) ministry and at Woodwinds Hospital. Of all her roles, being a mother and raising her family was the one she treasured most.

She will forever be missed as the start of our family tree. As we mourn our loss, we rejoice that we were blessed to have her for 96 years.

Private services are being held.