Kathaleen Margaret (Ruess) Whitman

Mrs. Kathaleen M. “Kay” Whitman, 89, of Grand Mound, Iowa, died Friday morning, June 2, 2017, at Maggie’s House Assisted Living, DeWitt.

The former Kathaleen Margaret Ruess was born January 20, 1928, at home in West Liberty to the late Louis and Margaret (White) Ruess. She graduated from West Liberty Community Schools and later from Mount Saint Clare College in Clinton with a teaching degree. While in college, her roommate Lois Whitman introduced Kay to her brother Ray.  Kay taught at the Grand Mound school for a year prior to marrying Ray Whitman July 20, 1949, in Nichols.  The couple farmed and raised their family in rural Grand Mound.  Ray preceded Kay in death June 24, 2007. 

She was a longtime member of Saints Philip and James Catholic Church, Grand Mound and the Altar and Rosary Society.  She taught religious education for many years.  Kay was a member of the Grand Mound Study Club and several card clubs.  Her hobbies included gardening, growing violets, baking for which she will be especially remembered for her wonderful sweet rolls and baked beans.  She loved her family dearly and cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren.

Surviving are children and their spouses, Diane and Dennis Wilkinson of Solon, Wayne and Marcia Whitman and David and Linda Whitman of Grand Mound; grandchildren, Deb (DJ) DuBois, Laurie (Todd) Donald, Nicole (Tony) Toohill, Kevin (Erica) Wilkinson, Doug (Staci) Wilkinson, Michael (Heather) Whitman, Kari (Jeremiah) Jorgensen, Amy (Kyle) Thomas, Peter (Lydia) Whitman, Bryan Whitman and Karen Whitman; great-grandchildren, Garret, Blake and Carter DuBois, Kaylin, Kennedy and Kole Donald, Ted, Nathan, Anna and Alex Toohill, Maddie and Matthew Wilkinson, Jani, Mallory and Brantley Wilkinson, Kale, Karragan, Kalloway and Kellen Whitman, Rian, Gavin and Samuel Jorgensen, Kaly and Rogan Thomas, Ruth, Elizabeth and Cameron Whitman; siblings, Kenny (Jane) Ruess of West Liberty and Donna Rickerl of Clinton; nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Saints Philip and James Catholic Church, Grand Mound from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 4, 2017, with a vigil service at 5:00 p.m.  A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 5, 2017, in the church with the Rev. Fr. Francis Odoom officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials are suggested to Saints Philip and James Church, Maggie's House Assisted Living or Calvary Cemetery.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers and granddaughters as honorary pallbearers.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.

The family extends their gratitude to Rosemary Tracy and Maggie's House Assisted Living for the loving care they provided to Kay!