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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Kathleen Kemmerer
KATHLEEN KEMMERER
Cedar Rapids
Kathleen "Kate" Kemmerer, 80, of Cedar Rapids, passed away at home on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kathleen was cremated. A private family entombment will be held at Linwood Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Gathering of Remembrance: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Hy-Vee Club Room, located at 3235 Oakland Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. Arrangements by Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.
She is survived by her husband, Gene; their children, Jean and Jeff Rechkemmer of Oelwein, Tom and Lisa Kemmerer of Iowa City, Tim and Pam Kemmerer of Independence, Holly and Rick Ralston of Cedar Rapids, Marjorie Kemmerer of Cedar Rapids and Andy Kemmerer and Craig Tierney of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Jacob and Amy Rechkemmer, Laura Rechkemmer, Joseph and Jenni Rechkemmer, Rachel and Ben Bruggeman, Ryan Kemmerer, Matthew and Mandy Kemmerer, Jackie and Jake Kessell, Monica McEowen and Jonah Nassif; great-grandchildren, Blake and Caitlyn Rechkemmer, Alisyn Widdel, Michael Rechkemmer, Bryce and Kurtis Bergman, Owen, Lane and Aubree Rechkemmer and Jamie Kessell; and good friends, Brian, Connie and Matthew Been, whom she thought of as special family members.
Kate was preceded in death by daughter, Julia; son, Jonathan; her parents, Herman and Mercedes Jacob; and her sisters, Mercedes Swanson, Marjorie Roling and Jan Wallman.
Kate was born Oct. 6, 1935, in St. Paul, Minn., daughter of Herman and Mercedes (McDonald) Jacob. Kate married Gene Kemmerer in Tucson, Ariz., on Nov. 21, 1953.
Kate was a lifelong Democrat. She served on numerous committees and was especially happy to chair the Affirmative Action Committee for several years within the Linn County Democrats. Kate served on the board of directors for the HD Youth Center and was recognized by the NAACP in 2001, with the Viola Gibson Award for Outstanding Service to the Community. She had a lifelong interest in reading, loved listening to music, and cooking.
She will be remembered most for her love of her family and the many loved and cherished cats she had over the years.
Please no flowers. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Mercy or the Humane Society.
Please share a memory of Kate at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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