Katie Capiz Obituary
Katherine (Katie) Capiz, age 40, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on April 19th, 2022, following an 18-month hard-fought battle against glioblastoma brain cancer.
Katie was born on December 19th, 1981, in Saint Paul, MN to Donald and Teresa Hermes. She was a bright, talented, and fun-loving child who was always surrounded by a multitude of friends. As a young girl, Katie trained with a Olympic speed skating coach, mentor, and friend Floyd Bedbury. She played hockey all four years of high school and made team captain her senior year. After graduating from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in 2000, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Communications. After college, Katie spent several years working in insurance sales. In 2006, she took over her mother’s business, Hermes Plant Design and Commercial Leasing, and some of her accounts included the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and the Jonathan Paddleford Riverboats near Harriet Island in St Paul.
Katie met her husband, Dan in 2006 and they shared many adventures over the years, including traveling, skiing, rock climbing, MN Wild hockey, Vikings football, music, and so much more. Katie and Dan proved to be a strong team, taking on the ambitious task of designing and building their own house in Inver Grove Heights, MN where they lived together for nearly 14 years.
Katie was blessed with 4 children of her own: Cayden (11), Tyler (9), Bennet (7), and Finton (5). She loved her boys more than anything, and was their guiding light through hockey, soccer, swimming, and many other activities. Katie taught her boys to waterski, skate, and she even helped coach their hockey teams.
With a true entrepreneurial spirit and love for children, Katie put her passion and business acumen to work in 2009 when she opened her own in-home childcare business (C&K Learn and Play). It was here that Katie (Ms. Katie to the children) shared her amazing spirit with families, alongside her mom Teri (Ms. Teri) for over 12 years. Katie ran a tight ship, teaching manors, discipline, and respect to even the toughest toddlers! Katie truly loved all the kids who came through the daycare, and left an imprint of love on every child.
Katie had a passion for life and loved spending time at her cabin in Crosslake, MN, traveling with her family and friends, and living the mantra of “YOLO” (you only live once). Even after Katie was diagnosed with cancer, she took the boys on a whirlwind tour from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to Washington D.C., and the Statue of Liberty in New York City. Katie lived every minute of her life with a constant positive attitude, with her daily saying, “Today is Going to be a Great Day, I Just Know It!”. Those who had the good fortune of knowing her knew her love of live music, dancing, yoga, sports and adventure. They all brought her happiness.
Katie is survived by her husband, Dan, children, Cayden, Tyler, Bennett, and Finton, her mother, Teresa Hermes, father, Donald Hermes (Carrie), brother Tim Hermes (Katie), half-brother Cody Hermes, and half-sister Whitney McKenzie.
Visitation for Katie
Tuesday, May 3
4-8 pm
Willwerscheid Funeral Home
1167 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
Funeral Mass
Wednesday, May 4
11:00 am
Visitation precedes at the church at 10am
The Church of Saint Joseph
1154 Seminole Ave.
St Paul, MN 55118
In lieu of flowers, the family humbly asks that tributes be sent to one of the two fund raisers:
Glioblastoma Cancer Research Organization: https://gbmresearch.org
The Capiz Children Education Fund: https://www.gofundme.com
