Maeder, Katherine 'Kate' Mae

Katherine “Kate” Mae Maeder, 86, of Shellsburg, who lived a long full life, died Sunday, July 11, 2010, at the Rock Ridge Residential Care, Shellsburg. Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2010, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, by Chaplain Jeremy Hudson. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. today at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Burial: Palo Cemetery, Palo.

Survivors include a son, Donald (Phyllis) of Cedar Rapids; a daughter, Sam Weis (Renee Salant) of Southworth, Wash.; three grandchildren, Larry Maeder (Therace), Denise Polansky and Amy Martens (Mark); 10 great-grandchildren, Erin Maeder, Jessica Kinney (Steve), Megan Martens, Joshua Polansky, Mallory Martens, Bethany Polansky, Carly Maeder, Michael Martens, Jackson Maeder and Max Martens; three great-great-grandchildren, Kaylin Kinney, Alysin Kinney and Isaac Maeder; and a brother Donald McFarlane (Arlene) of Olathe, Kan.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Charles.

Katherine was born Sept. 1, 1923, in Shellsburg, Iowa, to Andrew Graham and Theresa (Weis) McFarlane. She graduated from Palo High School in 1941, and attended Iowa State University. On April 10, 1943, she married Charles Maeder at Lincoln Church in Palo, Iowa. He died Sept. 27, 1986. They lived in the Palo area the majority of their lives. Together, they farmed and Katherine also worked at Rockwell Collins for 30 years.

She enjoyed sewing, quilting and being with her family and friends. She loved gardening and was an avid Cub's fan.

The family expresses a special appreciation to Rock Ridge Care Center of Shellsburg for the loving care of Katherine.

Please sign the online guest book for Katherine at under obituaries.