KERBERGER, Katherine (Kax)

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Tuesday, April 22, 2003 Katherine Herberger Katherine Kierland "Kax" Herberger, age 91, passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 19, 2003. Her husband, G. Robert "Bob" and her daughter, Gail, preceded her in death. She is survived by her son Gary Herberger and his wife, Jeanne, her son Judd, and grandchildren, Bradley Herberger, Holly Drake, Katherine "Katie" Herberger, Jill Herberger, and great granddaughter, Meredith Drake. Katherine was born to Dr. and Mrs. Peter Ernest Kierland in Mahnomen, Minnesota in 1912. She attended the University of Minnesota where she majored in art. She married Bob on August 25, 1934 in Alexandria, Minnesota. They lived in St. Cloud until they moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1949. She and Bob were longtime residents of Paradise Valley. Often referred to as the "First Lady of Arizona", Kax was recognized many times over for her numerous civic and cultural contributions which helped lay the foundation for many of the Valley of the Sun's organizations, charities and educational programs. Along with her husband, Bob, she was a major philanthropist in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Among the groups which were recipients of her generosity, volunteer hours and special interest were the Salvation Army, The Phoenix Symphony, The Phoenix Art Museum, Town of Paradise Valley Fine Arts Commission, Scottsdale Artists School, The New School for the Arts, The Heard Museum, Phoenix Chamber Music Society, COMPAS, and AASK-Arizona. A lifelong devotion to the performing arts which she shared with Bob, resulted in their commitment toward helping to establish a premier performing arts theater in Phoenix, which is now known as the Herberger Theater Center. Another strong interest in Kax's life was the welfare of children. She was the founder of Aid to Adoption of Special Children Arizona (AASK-Arizona) and of the ASU's Department of Theatre Artswork: The Kax Herberger Center for Children and the Arts which is focused on bringing the arts back to children in the community. She was an excellent artist and sculptress who helped establish the Scottsdale Artists School. Her interest in the fine arts remained strong as she served on several boards of organizations, which support the fine arts. As a result of her generosity, the College of Fine Arts at ASU is now named the Katherine K. Herberger College of Fine Arts. Kax's hobbies included painting, sculpting, horseback riding, needlepoint and collecting antique mechanical and still banks. In 2002, a tribute was held at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa to honor Kax's 90th birthday and the State of Arizona's 90th birthday. At this event, Kax was named a "Culturekeeper" a person who helped form and nurture the cultural heritage of the State of Arizona. Services will be held privately. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to a favorite charity. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.