Kernstine, Cassandra Ortenblad age 60, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2019 in the arms of her loving husband, Kemp, after a brief battle with leukemia. She was born on July 1, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Warren and Patricia Ortenblad and is preceded in death by her mother, father and her brother, Richard Ortenblad. Cass was a passionate, multi-talented individual, and a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Cass graduated from Forest Lake High School and completed multiple post-secondary degrees: a nursing degree at Anoka Ramsey Community College, an undergraduate degree at Harvard University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Texas in Arlington, and a Master of Science in Nursing at Duke University. Additionally, she completed her Certification in Integrative Health at Duke University, an area of particular interest as she was developing a consulting business in integrative health at the time of her death. Cass was a partner and board member for more than a decade of a long-term care organization, Birchwood Companies, which was located in the Twin Cities. She was a consummate volunteer to better the lives of those in her community, and most recently, served as the co-president of the Faculty Women's Club with the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. At her core, Cass was a compassionate caregiver and it defined her approach to life. She was always the most happy and fulfilled when she knew she was providing care for others. She was a creative influence, an energetic problem-solver, and a dear and thoughtful friend. She was generous with her time and creativity; no problem nor question was too small for Cass to listen in earnest and advise. She had a grand sense for adventure by being a trained pilot, an avid motorcyclist, and an eager world-explorer with her husband. Cass is survived by her husband, Kemp Sr.; her children: Meghan, Kemp Jr., Kendal, Kelsey, and Keene; her three grandchildren: Hunter, Gavin and Mairin; and her three sisters: Patricia Scherven, Shawn Rockler, and Kimberly Scobbie; and her brother, Thomas Ortenblad. More than anything, Cass loved her family and spending time with them. She was involved in the lives of her adult children and her grandchildren daily. Please join us in celebrating the life of Cassandra on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at 11 AM to 12 PM with a reception to follow at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood Road, Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Cassandra's memory to City of Hope to support leukemia research. Online donations can be made at cityofhope.org/…. Click "Donate in Honor or Memory of a Loved One (Tribute Gifts)" and select "In Loving Memory", indicating the gift is in memory of Cassandra Kernstine. If you would like to send a check, please make the check payable to: City of Hope and write "in memory of Cassandra Kernstine" in the memo field of the check. Checks can be sent to: City of Hope Attn: Philanthropy/ A. Keady & C. Sannes Re: Cassandra O. Kernstine Leukemia Fund 1500 E. Duarte Rd. Duarte, CA 91010

Published on March 17, 2019