Kathleen J. King

  Kathleen J. King, 72, died Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. John Gossman officiating and Msgr. Joseph Slepicka, Msgr. John Hemann, and Deacon Matt Berry concelebrating.  Inurnment was in Clear Lake Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake, Mercy Medical Center, Mason City, and the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, in Rochester, Minn.

Kay was born in Fargo, N.D. on Nov. 9, 1943, the youngest daughter of William J. and Margaret (Mooney) Leary.  The family moved to the Northrup King Research Farm in Eden Prairie, Minn. in 1946.  In 1957, her family was transferred to Moorhead, Minn., where she attended Moorhead State Campus High School.  Kay received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Moorhead State University.

Kay then taught sixth grade in the Anoka Hennepin School District.  Kay met her husband Bud (L.J.) and they were married at St. Stephan’s Catholic Church, in Anoka, Minn.  After the birth of their first son, John, they moved to Owatonna, Minn., where Kay substitute taught at the public schools and also taught Religious Education at Sacred Heart Church.  Kay and Bud were blessed by the birth of their second son, Patrick.

In 1971, Bud was transferred to Clear Lake.  They lived in Mason City for one year before moving to Clear Lake in 1972.  During the time spent living in Clear Lake, Kay was a teacher’s associate at Central School.  Both of their sons graduated from Clear Lake Community Schools.

Kay’s faith played a very important part in her life.  She taught religious education, served on the Board of Education as well as Chairman of the Board of Education at St. Patrick’s.  She was chairperson on both the Parish Council and the Finance Committee.  Kay was the first female trustee in the Archdiocese of Dubuque.  Along with her husband, Bud, they either chaired or co-chaired St. Patrick’s Annual Auction for many years.

Kay’s hobbies included golfing in her younger years, reading, knitting and travel.  Her favorite pastime was enjoying cards and lunching with the “Lunch Bunch” at the Half Moon.

Kay is survived by her beloved husband, Bud; two sons, John (Beth) King, of Houston, Texaas and Patrick (Martha) King of Waukee, Iowa; four grandchildren, Sarah, of Houston, and Will, Alex and Colin, of Waukee; brothers, John, of Green Valley, Az., and James (Gail), of Bismarck, N.D.; and sisters, E. Ann Hoover, of Berkeley, Calif., and M. Jane Hansen, of Irvine, Calif.; cousin, Cathryn Rogers; In-laws, Ernie (Rosemary) King, of Austin, Minn., Maryann Heimer, of Adams, Minn., Evy (Chuck) Bimberg, Bernette Willenbring, Bernice (John) Horn, all of Coon Rapids, Minn., Bill (Cathy) King, Nisswa, Minn., Diane (Gary) Christie, of Rochester, Minn.; and 23 nieces and nephews; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Thomas Leary; brother-in-law, Norman Hansen, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Norma Leary, Gertrude (LaVerne) Heimer; four nephews; two grandnieces; and one grandnephew.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.