Kathleen Roetzel was born on June 19, 1951 in Adrian, Minnesota. Her parents were farmers in Nobles County, Minnesota until her father died at the age of 44. Her mother, Margaret, moved off the farm to Adrian, Minnesota and parented 8 children alone.
In 1973, she received a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from Mankato State University (now Minnesota State University) in Mankato, Minnesota. Her emphasis was on Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology during her undergraduate studies. Subsequently, she attended Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and completed her Masters Degree in 1974. Her Master's degree was in North American prehistory. Between 1974-75 she did post graduate work at Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota, with special emphasis on Anthropology and Archeology.
In 1977, Kathleen married Dr. Richard Strachan who is a Professor of Anthropology at Minnesota State University, Mankato. They adopted two children, Terry and Tisha.
Her areas of interest include field archeology, Minnesota prehistory, eastern North American prehistory, paleoecology, conservation archeology, cultural resource management, computer applications in anthropology and database management. Her focus of field research has been in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. The projects that she has completed include aerial infrared photography, Phase I and Phase II surveys and Phase III Data Recovery.
From 1978-1995, she worked as a field archeologist in the area of Culture Resource Management. She and Dr. Strachan opened a research corporation called Impact Services Incorporated in 1978 doing archeological surveys for federal, state, local, private agencies which included the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Conservation Commission, County Highway Department, County Recreation Departments, City Recreation Departments throughout Minnesota.
Personal Communication, Kathleen Roetzel
Edited by Marcy L. Voelker, 2007