Katherine Marie Willets

Katherine Marie Willets, 94, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Sunday, July 8, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Katherine was born June 28, 1918, on the family farm south of Leigh, Nebraska, to Adolph and Anna (Loseke) Kumpf. She was the second oldest of ten children. She attended a country school south of Leigh through the 8th grade. Her family withdrew her from school to help with the chores on the farm and to help care for her younger brothers and sisters. In 1931, they lost the family farm outside of Leigh as a result of drought and the Great Depression. They moved to a farm south of Elwood. In 1934, Katherine lived in Denver and was employed as a nanny. She sent most of the money she earned during that time to her parents to help through the depression. She loved living in Denver, but returned to Elwood after a year because her family needed help harvesting. After her marriage to Charles Willets on November 17, 1938, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, they lived on farms around the Lexington, Nebraska area as well as Creston, Nebraska. They moved into Lexington in 1956. In the mid 50’s Katherine worked at the Lexington Community Hospital. In 1958 she was hired by Dr. Harley Batie, D.D.S., and received training to be a dental assistant and lab technician. As dentists retired and new dentists moved into the office, Katherine continued her employment. She worked in the dental office for over 50 years. She loved her job and felt very fortunate to be able to continue working into her 90’s. Katherine was a member of the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church for many years. Her membership was transferred to First Presbyterian Church in Lexington after the family moved into town. She was a very active member of the church serving as Deacon, Elder, and on various other committees. Katherine is survived by two daughters: Barbara and husband Robert Reynolds of Lincoln, NE and Sharlene Chadwick-Hickman and husband Tom Hickman of Woodland, CA; one daughter-in-law, Bonnie Willets of Columbus, NE; two sisters, Earlene and husband Hank Sterba of Omaha, NE, Merilyn Harvat of Omaha, NE, and brother, Roger and wife Loretta Kumpf of Omaha, NE; eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Katherine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles Willets; son, Chuck Willets; daughter, Carolyn Witthuhn; son-in-law, Mark Witthuhn; three brothers, Raymond, Robert and Charles Kumpf; and three sisters, Lola Hirsh, Betty Norby and Virginia Welch. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with Reverend Caroline Vickery officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, July 16, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Grand Generation Center or the Donor’s Choice. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please forward Online condolences to family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.