Kathy Bugliosi Nyberg

On January 4th, 2024, Kathy passed away. She was the leader and instigator of the 100th Hibbing High Anniversary celebration and her loss to her husband Bob, her family, friends and the community left a void that couldn't be filled. We dedicate this website to her and can only hope that we've carried on in the spirit that she would have put forth.

Kathy was the oldest of four children born to Ramon and Joanne (Zlebnik) Bugliosi. Some of her fondest memories growing up were filled with big Italian meals surrounded by her cousins at her Nona and Nono’s house in Brooklyn. Known as “baby redhead,” Kathy was always special to her entire family. Her lifelong love of good food began at a young age–she often joked that she was always the last cousin to leave the dinner table. Being the oldest of four children, Kathy gained her planning and leadership skills and quickly became the boss of the whole gang. With her siblings, Jane, Michael and Patty, she most certainly had an idyllic childhood. Her many cousins played a huge part in her life, especially times together at Perch Lake with her Bugliosi cousins. Equally enjoyable were many weekends spent with her Marum cousins camping. Kathy attended Hibbing schools and graduated from Hibbing High School in 1977. It was her junior year in high school when she spotted a handsome young man, Bob Nyberg, on the ice at a Hibbing hockey game, and it didn’t take long for them to become high school sweethearts. She excelled in academics, tennis and synchronized swimming. Kathy went on to attend one year at Hibbing Community College, followed by one year at St. Catherine’s in St. Paul, and then graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1981 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught in Houston, Texas, for one year before moving back to Minneapolis to begin a new career working for 3M.

40 years of marriage began when Kathy and Bob were married on July 15th, 1983, in Hibbing. They lived in Roseville, MN, for the next 12 years, and during this time she earned her Master’s Degree in Human Resources from the U of M. After five adventurous and fun-filled years of marriage, Kathy and Bob decided to start a family. They were blessed with three wonderful daughters, Nicole, Melissa (Weez) and Christine. Kathy and Bob’s love for family pulled them back to Hibbing, where they settled down and raised their family in 1995. To quote from her own journal, raising her girls was her “most important role in life.” In her daughters’ growing up years, the Nyberg household was a revolving door for her daughters and their friends. It was truly “the place to be.” She made sure everyone felt welcome by cooking the most delicious team dinners, throwing exquisite birthday, Halloween and Christmas parties, and hosting endless sleepovers. Kathy truly loved every minute of this, even hanging a sign that read “Grand Central Station” in her kitchen. Kathy and her daughters’ close bond continued throughout her entire life.

When her daughters got married, she gained three sons-in-law, who she often referred to as the “best guys in the world.” She loved them deeply. During the years of raising her girls, Kathy worked in HR at National Steel in Keewatin, and later at Hibbing Community College where she was a grant coordinator and taught Employment Skills. Kathy dedicated herself to the Hibbing community. She was currently serving on the Hibbing school board and on the Board of Directors for Guardian Angels and Heritage Manor nursing homes. Her love for Hibbing and its schools lead her to be involved in just about everything, most recently as a co-chair for the Hibbing High School 100th Anniversary Celebration. Kathy loved to travel and loved planning the trips too. She found happiness in giving her family “something to look forward to” all the time.

To quote from her own journal, “I appreciate and am in awe of every bit of the world made by God. I have a happy heart and a positive outlook on life, and no gray hair”. Her sense of humor was like none other. She will be missed terribly by her family, friends, and community.