Mpls, MN - 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 moved into palliative care a few days later.

During her last week, with 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 "Journey Dancing" blog and monthly newsletter. Unable to use her arms and legs for a decade, Kate learned to use her mouth to hold a paintbrush and push a joystick to drive her wheelchair. She used a voice-activated computer, taught workshops about creative journaling for people with disabilities, and led weekly online meditations, 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, WI, 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, WI, brother Warren Wolfe (Sheryl Fairbanks) in Roseville, MN, and sister Mary Bates (Jim) in Seaside, OR, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

To read some of Kate's writing, go to journeydancing.com.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Friends Meeting, 4401 York Av. 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.