Lawson, Kathryn M.

Kathryn M. Lawson, 72, of Tama, passed Monday, July 11, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Tama, with Father Michael Mescher as celebrant. Private interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo, at a future date. A visitation to honor both Kathryn and her husband, Gerald Lawson who passed away on Feb. 9, 2007, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Kathryn was born on May 22, 1939, in Belle Plaine, the daughter of Joseph and Evelyn (Stepanek) Benedik. She moved with her family to Tama County when she was growing up. Kathryn graduated from Toledo High School in 1956. She was married to George Kaufman on August 12, 1958, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chelsea, they later divorced. Kathryn was then united in marriage to Gerald Lawson on Jan. 23, 1965, in Lancaster, Mo.

She first worked as a bookkeeper at Irish Egg and Poultry in Tama and then as a proof operator at the Tama State Bank. At the time of her retirement, she was a trust officer at Brenton Bank in Marshalltown. During retirement, she and Gerald enjoyed being snowbirds in Texas. In her free time, she enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, word finds and Sudoku. Kathryn also enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She was a talented musician; and played saxophone, organ and accordion. She played with the Stepanek Orchestra and the local Kitchen Band. When people visited her home, she always welcomed them in and always made sure that the coffee was on. Kathryn looked forward to her monthly Brenton lunches with her fellow retirees. She was a devoted wife to Gerald and was a dedicated caretaker during his final years. Kathryn treasured the time she spent with her grandchildren.

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

Survivors include three children, Debra (Mike Ellenbecker) Kouba of Tama, Michael (Joan) Kaufman of Naperville, Ill., and Wesley (Gina Potratz) Kaufman of Marion; stepchildren, Barb (John) Shackelford of Tennessee, Darrell Lawson, Curtis (Teresa) Lawson of Tennessee, Dwight Lawson of Arizona, Rodney Lawson of Marshalltown, David (Cherie) Lawson of Colorado, and Brenda Lawson of Colorado; 18 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, James (Pat) Benedik of Atlanta, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.

She had a strong spirit, great work ethic and we rejoice in knowing she had faith and hope in salvation through Jesus Christ.