Kate Kaufling joined the UK dance team in the fall of 2023 along with her twin sister. (Mont Dawson Photo)
You might not recognize the name Kate Kaufling, but if you are a Kentucky fan and have been to any basketball or football game at UK you have probably seen her.
She was a dance team member who uplifted other team members with her smile and personality from all they said.
She was a 20-year-old sophomore nursing student with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average who passed away Sunday less than a year after being diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
However, she rang the bell after her last chemotherapy treatment Jan. 3 and I thought that meant she hopefully was on her way to recovery.
Kaufling joined the UK Dance Team, along with her twin sister Abbey, in the fall of 2023.
“Kate was a joy to coach and to be around. Her smile could light up a room and she was beloved by all of her UKDT teammates,” said UK Dance Team coach Dawn Walters in a statement released by UK. “We are all saddened by Kate’s passing. We will remember her for the tough battle she fought with osteosarcoma over the past year.
“She was brave until the very end and all of us can draw inspiration from the courageous battle that she fought. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with the Kaufling family.”
She will be remembered for more than just her dancing.
“In addition to being a talented dancer, Kate was also an amazing student, in the College of Nursing, who took her academics very seriously,” said UK Executive Associate Athletics Director Sandy Bell. “Even during her cancer treatments, Kate kept up with her studies, setting an amazing example for her teammates.
“Kate was beloved by all who knew her and she will be deeply missed. On behalf of UK Athletics, we send our deepest sympathies to Holly, Steve, Abbey and the entire Kaufling family.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
53 Responses
Some things are very difficult to understand.
Thoughts and prayers for the family and friends
God needed a beautiful angel so he chose Kate to come home and fill that spot. Heaven’s beauty increased with her beautiful presence. May the love she shared and left behind continue to grow and give her the glory her short life filled with love and joy brought to those who knew her according to this post. May the Prince of Peace bring comfort to family, friends, and all who loved Kate.
Prayers for you all.
Mary Sandholdt I did not know this beautiful young lady but my heart aches for her family! I can see she touched so many lives! Love and prayers!
With you Mary
Very simply put Paul and you are right. I’m sure her family is devastated. My condolences to them.
RIP beautiful young lady 😔
So sad a young life was taken too soon. I really feel for her friends and family during this sad time.
My condolences to the family
There’s no reasoning why the best young people that will contribute so much good to the world die so young while bad people live so long. God works in mysterious ways. Prayers for her family and everyone who loved her.
It’s sad.
Nature is random.
God isn’t picking one for death and one for a long life.
Yes very sorry for her loss as all loss of human life is . The Bible is a true source of comfort and friends and family too .
I don’t know this young lady , but it saddens me to hear about young lives cut short. She was studying to become a nurse the many lives she would have helped saved or made a positive impact on. I hope the memory of her floods the family and friends with warmth and peace.
Beautifully said…
Very difficult to comprehend how jive/death can sometimes get it what appears to be so wrong. A life wonderfully but too short lived.
Just so hear breaking seeing someone that young passing away. My heart goes out to the family and friends who knew this young lady. Especially her twin sister.
So sorry so sad for that to happen to a very smart young lady pray for the family God has her in his arms 🙏
I am sure God has a plan but it sure is hard to understand! I am sure she is dancing beautifully with the angels and is very happy to be with her Lord.
My condolences and prayers to the Kaufling family!
Our prayers are with Kate’s sister, teammates, and family. May her battle with cancer bring awareness to this awful disease to help others as we remember her for the beautiful and intelligent young woman she was. Rest in peace.
What a beautiful young woman. Makes me sick to hear that .
Keeping the family and friends staff in our prayers. We are sorry for loss .praying 🙏
Prayers for family and friends!
Prayers
My condolences to family, may she continue to rest in the care of Truth responsible for our being in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. ❣️🙏🏾
well said Michael
Heartbreaking ❤️🩹 Eternal love and prayers 🌹🙏🏻
This is so hard. When in life we think our load is heavy we must reflect on this beautiful soul who stepped out to trust God in His will for her. I will pray for her family for peace, resolve and that even in this that God gets the glory
The miraculous story of Joe Tippens overcoming a dire cancer diagnosis should be available to people in situations like this. What would anyone have to lose? On the other hand, Joe Tippens had a lot to gain because he’s still living 6 to 8 years later. The fenbendazole that Joe Tippens used, I used to get rid of a lung cancer tumor. Since it worked for me, other people need to know the possibilities. Nothing to lose, everything to gain!
Beautiful girl!! So sorry for the family and teams loss the whole bbn will be praying for everyone who was close to her and loved her we see our athletes like family and she will be missed by so many!!many prayers r#BBN #KentuckyDanceTeam
Totally agree Casey
So sorry Kate. God bless you and your family. I lost my son 10 weeks ago. She’s with Jesus now.
My prayers go out to the family and friends God bless her soul Amen
Sending condolences and prayers
Prayers for her family and friends. May GOD see you all throughout these trying times.
Such a beautiful young lady.. gone too soon.. but, GOD makes no mistakes. I pray her family & friends can focus on God’s love, & also, may they seek God for peace & just begin healing their broken hearts. I am so sorry for her family, especially her Mom & Dad & her twin sister, Abbey. God Bless you all.
Rest In Peace, you beautiful young lady. Your family & friends are in my prayers.
All these people saying this was Gods plan etc. it was Gods plan to fight,right the bell, than die? Rediculous. Bad things happen to good people and it’s sad but saying God wanted this and did this. Did God want 911? Was that his plan? The whole religious argument is rediculous. If there is a higher power he’s there for support but to say he makes no mistakes and thought this was best…well I’m sure her family feels different. It’s just unfortunate bad things happen to good people so live your life to the fullest.
You need to get on your knees and pray for your soul and let this young rest in peace with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This was an example of the Lord’s Love and Grace. Her suffering is over and she is very happy. She has earned her trophy. Prayers for her family and Love ones.
Sad to hear. A young life gone so soon
It’s God’s will! And never question God’s will
What a tragedy. Grieving with the entire State of Kentucky for such a promising life cut short.
God I’d Sovereign; however, we live in a fallen world where bad things happen. Just trust that God holds this precious child in His arms and she is no longer suffering. Rest peacefully…
Why that is what I ask. This article caught my attention and after reading about Kate all I can ask is why such a deserving individual and her life cut way too short. We will never be able to understand the process of life. My condolences to the family on such a tragic loss.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all that loved her. 🙏🙏🙏😓😓😓
So sorry to hear! God didn’t have enough Angels 😇 in Heaven I guess!🙏🙏🙏!
Prayers beautiful young lady
She is alright she is with the Lord in His loving care!
Prayers to her Family!
So sorry for the lose of this beautiful young lady, prayers for the family and friends 🙏 RIP
Prayers and condolences to this family during this time of bereavement! May God continue to give each of you peace and comfort.
There is no pain like the loss of your child, no matter what age. Sadly I know.
Very beautiful angel now in heaven gone way to soon…
I don’t know this young lady,but RIP beautiful lady