Kathryn Willis Celebrates 80th Birthday

Her family had originally planned to have a small gathering to celebrate the milestone 80th birthday of Kathryn Willis, according to daughter Kay Montgomery. “But she had too many friends.” So they decided to have a big party on the Duluth Town Green. About 1,000 of Kathryn’s family and friends turned out Wednesday (June 8) to celebrate the community leader’s birthday with Varsity hot dogs, cake and ice cream, and music by her favorite band Banks & Shane.

The crowd also included city and county officials and members of the many boards and organizations that Kathryn stays active and involved in the community. Kathryn is the great, great, great granddaughter of Duluth’s founder Evan Howell, and her parents Calvin and Kate Parsons were early merchants in the town.

State Rep. Brooks Coleman welcomed guests and led the singing of “Happy Birthday” from the Festival Center Stage under a “Happy 80th Kathryn!” banner. “I don’t think we have as many here for the opening of (the Duluth) Fall Festival,” Coleman said. 

“I really wanted to be with all of you,” Kathryn said in greeting party guests. “I really appreciate your being here.” The birthday girl admitted she had been worried a bit about the party. “At first,” she said, “I was afraid no one would come. Then I was worried that we might run out of hot dogs.” Kathryn was joined on stage by her family including son Gary Willis and his wife Chris Willis, son Tom Willis, daughter Gin Willis, daughter Kay Montgomery and her husband Mike Montgomery.

Rita Westbrook made her a Hungarian crème cake with burnt caramel icing to feed 550 guests. Every crumb was consumed. The family ordered 1,000 hot dogs and gave the Varsity instructions to cook more if needed. 

Kathryn’s granddaughter Cacey Willis, one of her six grandchildren, sang a song she had performed at her recent graduation. The festivities also included Kathryn clogging to her favorite song “Rocky Top.” Kathryn didn’t even appear winded when she finished.

(Editor's note: Duluth Patch columnist Judy Wilson contributed to this article. Fred Wilson provided a panoramic photo of the crowd that appears at the end.)