Renaud, Kathleen 'Kat' Alyda

Kathleen “Kat” Alyda Renaud, 60, of Cedar Rapids, died Oct. 10, 2012, at Crestview Acres in Marion after a four-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Kat's wishes were to be cremated. Cedar Memorial is entrusted with arrangements.

Survivors include one son, Alex Gassman (girlfriend Kelsey Parman) of South Orange, N.J.; two sisters, Donna of Nova Scotia and Mary (Ron) of Eldora; and a brother, David of Casper, Wyo.

Kat was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Ginny (Ron) of Des Moines.

Kat was born Dec. 30, 1951, in Geneva, Ill., to Jane and Don Renaud. The family moved in 1954 to Grinnell, Iowa, where Kat attended school from kindergarten through high school, graduating with the class of 1970. She attended Ellsworth College and Grinnell College and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1987 with a BBA degree in business. She worked at various positions at Kirkwood Community College from 1984 to 2005.

Kat was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She loved kids, especially her son, Alex, who was the pride of her life.

She was very independent throughout her life even after Alzheimer's disease began to affect her mind and body. Now Kat is at peace.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids, at a later date.

Published Oct. 13, 2012 in The Gazette