Katherine "Katie" Mary Kenworthy

Katherine "Katie" Mary Kenworthy, age 104 of Albia, died Monday, November 7, 2011 at Monroe Care Center in Albia. Katie was born October 17, 1907 to Thomas and Margaret (Ryan) Ward in Melrose, Iowa. She married Herbert Kenworthy on April 21, 1934 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose. He preceded her in death on January 27, 1982 after 47 years of marriage. A graduate of Melrose High School, Class of 1926 Valedictorian, Katie received her Teaching Certificate from William Penn College. She taught in country schools around the Albia area before moving to Washington, D.C. where she continued to teach. Later, she moved back to the area and taught school until she was married. She was a homemaker while raising her children, and then managed Kenworthy Produce. After operating the family produce store, she learned how to type from Hjalmer Lindberg, and became a correspondent for the Ottumwa Courier. Katie was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and St. Mary's Altar and Rosary in Albia. She was a member of the Monroe County Hospital Auxiliary, Diocesan Council, Quilter's Club, and Retired Teachers' Association, which she received the R.S.V.P. Award. She loved to quilt, garden, flower garden, bake, cook, and work crossword puzzles to keep her mind sharp. She was a great teacher to her grandkids and loved spending time with family and friends. Katie is survived by 7 children, Thomas (Jurene) Kenworthy of Mercer Island, WA, David (Cheryl) Kenworthy of Tacoma, WA, Marjorie (Val) Mannens of West Des Moines, IA, Colette (Rich) Mason of Ottumwa, IA, Rose (Larry) Lennie of Albia, Carol Stewart of Issaquah, WA, and Patrick Kenworthy of Denver, CO; 16 grandkids, Kathleen Callahan, Matt Kenworthy, Sarah Woodhead, Kecia Cole, Mark Mannens, Mary Hunter, Jill Ranft, Cindy Johnson, Suzanne Williams, Tim Ahn, Mike Lennie, David Lennie, Dan Lennie, Deann Miller, Brad Stewart, and Gabriel Stewart; 30 great grandkids; 3 great-great grandkids; 6 step grandkids; 12 step grandkids; her brother's children, Karen Stone and Phillip Ward; and several other nieces and nephews. Katie was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; parents; 2 grandkids, Joe Lennie and Jill Lennie; and 5 brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 12, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Fr. Michael E. Volkmer, C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Friday, November 11, 2011 at the Tharp-Winfield Funeral Home in Albia, with Katie's family present throughout the day and evening until 8 p.m. A rosary will be said Friday at 4 p.m. at the funeral home, provided by St. Mary's Altar and Rosary, along with a Christian Wake Service Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic Church or to Monroe Care Center. Condolences may be left for the family at www.tharpfh.com.

Katherine "Katie" Mary Kenworthy

October 17, 1907 - November 7, 2011