Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation

Kathryn Szott

Kathryn is a co-founder and president of the Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation and the very blessed mother of Brian, age 27, Andrew, and Abby. Professionally she teaches deaf and hard of hearing children in a resource classroom at Como Park Elementary in the St. Paul, MN school district.

Her almost 30 years of teaching experience has taught her much about life, love for children, and the importance of supporting and building a sense of community. She earned her Master of Arts in Education at Hamline University in 1999. As much as she loves teaching, her heart these days lies in the work of the Szott Foundation and she spends most evenings working on that. Her goal over the next few years is to change careers and devote all of her time to the growth and health of the Foundation.

David Szott

David is the co-founder and vice-president/treasurer of the Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation. He is the proud father of Brian, Andrew, and Abby who as their dad enjoyed the responsibilities and rewards of spending quality time building memories and learning from one another. He has worked his entire career in non-profit settings; 18 years in college administration, and the past 14 years with Cerenity Health Care Systems, a long term health care facility in St. Paul MN. where he oversees the physical plant and grounds operations. He earned his masters degree in education from Illinois State University. 

David has enjoyed volunteering time in a variety of organizations such as a friend of the Wescott Library, the Eagan Parks, Recreation and Natural Resource Commission, and at Lighthouse Community Church. David is very excited about the future of  the foundation and the powerful impact its mission will provide to families who are in the grip of fighting the biggest battle of their lives.

Sara Benedett

Sara is a second grade teacher of new English Language Learners in a Language Academy classroom at Highwood Hills Elementary School. She has been an educator in Saint Paul, MN for the past 26 years. Her degrees/certifications are in Deaf Education, Elementary Education and Reading Recovery. Sara has been married to Steve Benedett for the past 21 years. Together they have one beautiful daughter, Julia, who currently attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Sara has been a long time family friend to the Szott family. It is a great honor for Sara to become a member of the Szott Foundation Board of Directors. It is her desire to share the lives of Andrew and Abby Szott with others and contribute to their memories by helping families in need.

Tammie Dahlheimer

Tammie is a pediatric nurse practitioner who earned her master's degree from the University of Minnesota. She has been working with kids with cancer for over 20 years. She is currently employed at University of Minnesota Physicians, Minneapolis. She was blessed to be part of the team that cared for Abby throughout her courageous battle. She lives with her husband, Randy and their five children on their family farm in Dayton, MN. She is actively involved in the worship ministry at Christ Church in Otsego, MN.

Bob Boldt

Abby first touched Bob’s family’s hearts when she was in 4th grade. Abby would walk his children Garrett and Jessica home from the bus stop up the street. His daughter Jessica who was in kindergarten at the time, recalls how Abby would save her a seat on the bus, and read Mary Kate and Ashley books to her on the ride home. His niece was in gymnastics at TAGS at the time Abby went there. TAGS would have fundraisers selling flowers and plants every year. Abby would knock on his door with a big smile and say, “I know you may have bought from Tara (my niece) but I’m fundraising for TAGS, would you like to buy something?" With those bright eyes and big smile no one could have said no, Bob included. Knowing Abby and the Szott’s has blessed his family.

For the past 22 years his wife Peggy and he have lived in Eagan and raised their son Garrett, a senior at Eagan High School and their daughter Jessica, a sophomore at Holy Angels. He has been self-employed with a heating and air conditioning business in Eagan for the past 20 years.

Tom Mason  

Tom is a 23 year resident of Eagan, MN. He has been married for 25 years to his wonderful wife, Mary, and has two great children, John, a senior at St. Cloud State and Andrea, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin Stout. He has been employed at Mystic Lake Casino for the past 13 years as an Inventory Control Manager in their Corporate Finance department. His daughter, Andrea, a graduate of Eastview High School was a competitor in gymnastics with Abby and attended TAGS with her for several years. They are members of St. John Neumann Catholic Church where he is active as Eucharistic Minister. He is very excited about being on the Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation board.