Katherine B. Aaslestad, 59, died on April 24, 2021, at home in Morgantown, surrounded by friends and family after a fierce struggle with ovarian cancer. Born May 30, 1961, in Belfonte Pa., Katherine was the daughter of Halvor and the late Barbara Aaslestad.
She was a professional modern dancer, internationally respected historian, award-winning teacher, environmental activist and loving mother. She interrupted her undergraduate education at Mary Washington College in 1983, following an invitation to train at the Martha Graham School, serving in the apprenticeship company before receiving her Certificate in Graham Technique in 1985.
She completed her Ph.D. in history at the University of Illinois in 1997, conducting research in Germany, France and Denmark. Her career began at the University of New Hampshire, and she came to West Virginia University in 1997. Her scholarly work was vast, varied, and influential, supported by Fulbright, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the German Academic Exchange Service.
Her first book became the standard work in English on north Germany in the late 18th and 19th century. Her other numerous publications forged a new modern military history that considered the effects of war on society, including economic warfare, militarization of society, gender and war and memory and war. Her published work also appeared in French, German and Spanish and influenced historians writing in seven different languages.
Professionally, she was most proud of her teaching and mentoring. She devoted most of her energy to undergraduates, serving as the history club and honorary advisor and as WVU’s Rhodes Scholar advisor. Her graduate students completed excellent dissertations on an admirable variety of topics, including British relief organizations in post World War II Germany, female philanthropy in 19th century England and enlisted soldiers in 18th century warfare.
She was also an environmental activist and passionate member of the Sierra Club. She put her values into practice, and at great personal and financial risk, sued Bayou Bridge Pipeline for illegally trespassing to construct a pipeline across land that was in her family for three generations in the Atchafalaya Basin, La. Her lawyers called her a model witness.
She loved her family above all else and volunteered at her children’s schools and activities. She was a second mother to other young people, opening her home to her children’s friends and Rotary Exchange students from France and Germany, who enriched her, her family and the community.
She is survived by her husband, John P. Lambertson; her daughters, Morgan Lambertson, of Houston, Texas, and Alaine Lambertson, of Morgantown; and her son and son-in-law, Raef and Danny Lambertson of Morgantown; and her father, brother, two sisters and nieces and nephews.
Friends and family will be received at Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home, from 6-8 p.m., Friday, April 30. A private memorial service for family will be held the following day at St. Thomas à Becket Church in Morgantown.
In lieu of flowers, Katherine’s family requests that donations be made to the Katherine Aaslestad ‘85 Scholarship in History, Development Office, University of Mary Washington, 1119 Hanover St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
