Katherine Gehring

A service honoring Kathy’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 22, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery (Deer Creek Township). Visitation is from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Kathy is survived by her husband Gerald; her children, Brad (Stephanie) Gehring, Adel, and their children, Amber and Olivia; Michelle (Jerry) Steining, Davenport, and their children, Lucas and Lexi; Jen (Joe) Parrish, Clare, and their children, Gabe, Miranda, and Lydia; Joy (Brent) Johnson, Bel Air, Maryland, and their children, Emma and Grace; and her sister Barb Westling, Bondurant. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Nancy.

Katherine Marie Roark, the daughter of William and Helen (Petersen) Roark, was born April 10, 1950, in Fort Dodge. She attended St. Paul Lutheran School and graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1968. Kathy then graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. On June 3, 1972, Kathy was united in marriage to Gerald Gehring at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Katherine was a registered nurse at Trinity Regional Hospital which also included many years with the dialysis unit at Highland Park. Kathy was also part of the first team of nurses at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home, eventually retiring her medical career from the Home. Kathy was known for her exceptional, compassionate, and loving care shown to her patients, much to their appreciation. Along with being a nurse, she enjoyed being the wife of a farmer.

Kathy was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where she served in a variety of capacities including Stephen Ministry, LWML, youth group, and Bible studies. Kathy was also an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. Kathy especially treasured her grandchildren and being a part of their lives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the discretion of the family who will contribute to St. Paul Lutheran Church and School and the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home.