Katherine Virden

KATHERINE VIRDEN

Cedar Rapids

Katherine "Katie" Marie Virden, 65, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, peacefully following a courageous battle with cancer. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. Friends may visit from 3 to 7 p.m. Thurday at Teahen Funeral Home for visitation and after 10 a.m. Friday at the church.

Katie was born in Mason City, Iowa, on June 12, 1951, the fourth of 10 children to Carl and Ann Larsen. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in art education and later earned a Master of Art Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Katie was married to Tim Virden on Jan. 22, 1977, in Cedar Rapids.

Katie taught for 12 years in the Cedar Rapids Community School District and served 18 years with Grant Wood Area Education Agency as an art education and school improvements consultant. She was named the Western region's art supervisor of the year by the

National Art Education Association.

Katie is survived by her mother, Ann Larsen of Mason City; her husband, Tim Virden; and son, David Virden (Dana, Jenna, Brody), and daughter, Ann Balvanz (Justin), both of Cedar Rapids. She had four sisters and five brothers, along with many nieces and nephews.

Katie was preceded in death by her father, Carl Larsen; and brothers, Paul and Jim Larsen.

Katie was a world traveler and enjoyed making many trips to the galleries and museums of Europe and the U.S. She was a printmaker, weaver, ceramic artist, quilt maker and maker of handmade paper and books. She was a member of the National Art Education Association, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Marvin Cone Art Club, PEO and First Presbyterian Church.

Her greatest accomplishments were that of being a wife, mother, teacher and artist.

Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Katie always expressed a fondness for the artists of the Cedar Rapids Ceramics Center and took pleasure in providing them with her delicious baked treats.