Hamilton, Katherine Joan

Katherine Joan Hamilton, 82, of Iron River, Mich., formerly of Central City, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2011, in Bullhead City, Ariz., after a brief illness.

Born in Stambaugh, Mich., on June 1, 1928, she was the daughter of Dr. E.N. and Regina (Fotchman) Oberdorfer. Katherine graduated from Iron River High School in 1946. She attended Clark College in Dubuque and also Western Michigan University, where she graduated with a degree in education in 1950. She married George D. Hamilton on April 6, 1953. They were married for 45 years until his death in 1998. They lived in Oak Park, Mich., Newberry, Mich., and Central City, Iowa. George Hamilton was the director of the Linn County Conservation Board from 1964 to 1988. While living in Central City, Katherine was a substitute schoolteacher and active in St. Stephen's Church. She and her husband moved to Iron River, Mich., upon his retirement.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two sisters.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Janet Flaitz of Ocala, Fla.; her five children, David (Cynthia) of Lexington, Ky., Michael (Lisa) of Robins, Stephen (Brenda) of Cedar Rapids, Kathy Montz (Brian) of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Julie Dort (Charlie) of Papillion, Neb.; six grandchildren, Ellen (Hamilton) Murphy, Caroline Hamilton, Christine Hamilton, Ashley Hamilton, Katie Hamilton and Sean Hamilton; and two stepgrandchildren, Bryan Dort and Kelly (Dort) Whitbeck.

The family plans a memorial celebration which will be held at a later date.

The family suggests memorial donations be sent to St. Stephen's Church, P.O. Box 496, Central City, IA 52214-0420; Friends of Linn County, Linn County Conservation, 1890 County Home Rd., Marion, IA 52302; or a charitable organization of one's choosing.