Mardorf, Kathryn 'Katie'

Kathryn “Katie” Mardorf, 91, of Monticello, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at Monticello Nursing and Rehab Center following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church with interment at Oakwood Cemetery, both in Monticello. Pastor Darryl Larson will officiate at the services. Goettsch Funeral Home in Monticello is caring for Katie and her family and friends may call there from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Survivors include her husband, Bill; three children, Nancy Marsh and Suzanne (Dennis) Joslyn of Monticello, and Gary (Linda) Mardorf of Henderson, Nev.; five grandchildren, Cindy Marsh of Clinton, Lisa Marsh Ross of DeWitt, Sonya Joslyn (Jim) Grant of Vacaville, Calif., Lon Joslyn of Lafayette, Ind. and Chad Mardorf of San Francisco, Calif.; five great grandchildren, Tasha Ross of Fulton, Ill., Kristina (Mike) Wade and Samantha Grant of Vacaville, Calif., Katlynn Joslyn of Lafayette, Ind. and Melissa Burmeister of DeWitt; and two great-great-grandchildren, Hailey Wade of Vacaville, Calif. and Michael Van Damme of Fulton, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; granddaughter, Dee Ann Marsh; and son-in-law, Robert Marsh.

Kathryn “Katie” Wilson was born April 29, 1921, in Decatur City, Iowa, and resided in the Annie Wittenmyer Home, an orphanage for children in Davenport from age 9 to 13. She moved to Monticello and lived with the family of Gerhard and Josie Freese.

Katie and Wilhelm “Bill” Mardorf were united in marriage at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on Dec. 14, 1938. The couple bought their farm in Castle Grove that year and farmed together until retiring to Monticello in 1978. Katie was a lifelong, active member of her church and had a green thumb for beautiful flowers. She and Bill enjoyed going to dances, playing cards and attending the many activities of their children. She was a gifted seamstress and quilter. As a member of the St. Matthew Lutheran sewing circle, she was instrumental in creating the quilt auctioned off for the 100th anniversary celebration of the church in September 2012.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church or Above and Beyond Hospice in Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

The family wishes to thank the medical staff at Mercy Hospital and the caregivers of Monticello Nursing and Rehab and Above and Beyond Hospice for their expertise and compassionate care.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 19, 2012.

Updated; published Dec. 20, 2012 in The Gazette