Kathryn Renee Sherman

Kathryn Renee Sherman

Iowa City

Kathryn Renee Sherman, age 66, went home to be with the Lord on August 20, 2025 surrounded by loved ones at the University of Iowa Hospital.

Kathryn was born June 16, 1959, in Memphis, Tennessee to Katie Needham Sherman and Dudley Sherman. When she was eight, she became a big sister to Barbara. Growing up, she spent her summers at her grandparents’ farm in Northwest Tennessee. She often spoke fondly of the lessons learned and memories made with her grandmother and granddaddy. She was taught to sing when she was young and used her beautiful voice to praise the Lord.

After high school, Kathryn studied Ophthalmology and started her career in Austin, Texas. She later moved to Portland, Oregon where she continued working in Ophthalmology. She followed her work to Iowa City, Iowa. Once in Iowa, Kathryn worked at the University of Iowa Hospital and later VA Hospital. She was an active member of Iowa City Church.

In 2012, she met Ross Yoder, and they began a loving relationship. Ross’ children were blessed to gain Kathryn’s love as an additional mother figure. She was a proud grandmother to Elsie Mae and Emmett, who lovingly call her Grandma Kat.

Kathryn enjoyed spending time tending to her flowers and her yard and caring for all of God’s creatures. She loved to learn about and marvel at God’s creation. She had a generous and loving servant’s heart, and spent much of her life volunteering at reservations, hospitals, and shelters. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, and crafting, as she was always making blankets and goods for others. Her beautiful smile and kind heart will be deeply missed.

Left to honor Kathryn’s memory are her sister Barbara Beavers; her loving partner of over 13 years, Ross Yoder; Ross’ children, Leane and Sean Stutzman, and Wesley Yoder and Hannah Croxton; her grandchildren, Elsie Mae and Emmett Stutzman; her beloved dog, Shelby and cat, Gypsy; many cousins and relatives in Tennessee, Virginia, and Florida; all of Ross’ family members who loved Kathryn dearly as their own, and many friends. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents, Amos & Mary Needham and RT and Nina Williams, and her aunts and uncles.

A celebration of life for Kathryn will be held Saturday, August 30, at 10:30 a.m. at Iowa City Church, 4643 American Legion Rd., Iowa City, IA 52240. A light luncheon and time of fellowship will follow. To honor Kathryn’s wishes, a private interment of her ashes will take place in Western Tennessee at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, her loved ones would be honored if memorial donations are made to Iowa City Church or Paws & More Animal Shelter in Washington, Iowa in Kathryn’s name.