| Kathryn J. Kidd Vanatta |
Published in Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune on January 9, 2012
Kathryn J. Vanatta, 64, of Port Edwards, passed
away Jan. 7, 2012, surrounded by her family, at
Riverview Medical Center in Wisconsin Rapids, after a
courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
A visitation for family and friends will be held
from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Taylor, Vollert and
Jennings Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, and again
at 10 a.m. Tuesday, preceding a memorial service at 11 a.m. Interment will
be at the village of Port Edwards Cemetery, with a luncheon at Hotel Mead
immediately to follow.
Kathy was born on Oct. 12, 1947, in Saint Louis to Ruby Pauline
(Williams) and James Lloyd Kidd. She spent her childhood in Fulton, Mo.
before moving to Washington, D.C., in 1962 with her family, where she
graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1965. On May 21,
1970, she married U.S. Army Capt. Gary G. Vanatta of Tabor, Iowa, at
Fort De Russy, Honolulu. After living in Virginia and Arizona, Kathy and
Gary ultimately settled in Wisconsin in 1974 in Warrens to grow cranberries
and raise their three children, John, Ben and Trisha Lynn. In 1983, the
family moved to Port Edwards. In recent years, Kathy and Gary spent their
winters in southern Florida.
Kathy had many interests and talents, and was an active member of
many community organizations. She was an active member of the
Republican Party, serving as chairwoman for the Wood County Republican
Party from 1989 to 1995. She enjoyed hosting political functions,
participating in political conventions and campaigns, and fundraising. In
1994, she was honored by the Republican Party with an outstanding
achievement award. Kathy was fluent in American Sign Language, and in
2005 she graduated cum laude from Northcentral Technical College with an
associate degree in sign language interpreting in deaf education. She was
also involved with the Riverview Hospital Auxiliary, Four Seasons Lunch,
Travel Class and Daughters of the American Revolution. In addition, she
co-wrote two cookbooks, McCoy Maneuvers (1975), and Think
Cranberries (1976). Kathy enjoyed traveling the world, interior design,
sewing for her family and home, photography and genealogy. In recent
years, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren, whom she
adored.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 41 years, Gary; her children, John
(Wendy), Ben (Jamie) and Trisha Lynn; granddaughters Avery, Lucy,
Phoebe, Summer and Ruby; grandson Jack; her siblings, Patricia Kidd
Wilmore, St. Augustine, Fla., and James Michael (Jennie) Kidd, Phoenix,
Ariz., as well as numerous aunts, uncles, countless cousins and friends. She
was preceded in death by her mother, father and many other dear friends
and relatives.
Kathy was a woman of substance: intelligent, funny and engaging. She
will be remembered as a devoted wife and mother, beloved granny, loyal
friend, gracious hostess and fan of Elvis. She will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank the staff at Riverview Medical Center for
their kindness and care. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested
contributions be made to the Riverview Healthcare Foundation, Wisconsin
Rapids.
Kathryn J. Vanatta, 64, of Port Edwards, passed
away Jan. 7, 2012, surrounded by her family, at
Riverview Medical Center in Wisconsin Rapids, after a
courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
A visitation for family and friends will be held
from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Taylor, Vollert and
Jennings Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, and again
at 10 a.m. Tuesday, preceding a memorial service at 11 a.m. Interment will
be at the village of Port Edwards Cemetery, with a luncheon at Hotel Mead
immediately to follow.
Kathy was born on Oct. 12, 1947, in Saint Louis to Ruby Pauline
(Williams) and James Lloyd Kidd. She spent her childhood in Fulton, Mo.
before moving to Washington, D.C., in 1962 with her family, where she
graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1965. On May 21,
1970, she married U.S. Army Capt. Gary G. Vanatta of Tabor, Iowa, at
Fort De Russy, Honolulu. After living in Virginia and Arizona, Kathy and
Gary ultimately settled in Wisconsin in 1974 in Warrens to grow cranberries
and raise their three children, John, Ben and Trisha Lynn. In 1983, the
family moved to Port Edwards. In recent years, Kathy and Gary spent their
winters in southern Florida.
Kathy had many interests and talents, and was an active member of
many community organizations. She was an active member of the
Republican Party, serving as chairwoman for the Wood County Republican
Party from 1989 to 1995. She enjoyed hosting political functions,
participating in political conventions and campaigns, and fundraising. In
1994, she was honored by the Republican Party with an outstanding
achievement award. Kathy was fluent in American Sign Language, and in
2005 she graduated cum laude from Northcentral Technical College with an
associate degree in sign language interpreting in deaf education. She was
also involved with the Riverview Hospital Auxiliary, Four Seasons Lunch,
Travel Class and Daughters of the American Revolution. In addition, she
co-wrote two cookbooks, McCoy Maneuvers (1975), and Think
Cranberries (1976). Kathy enjoyed traveling the world, interior design,
sewing for her family and home, photography and genealogy. In recent
years, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren, whom she
adored.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 41 years, Gary; her children, John
(Wendy), Ben (Jamie) and Trisha Lynn; granddaughters Avery, Lucy,
Phoebe, Summer and Ruby; grandson Jack; her siblings, Patricia Kidd
Wilmore, St. Augustine, Fla., and James Michael (Jennie) Kidd, Phoenix,
Ariz., as well as numerous aunts, uncles, countless cousins and friends. She
was preceded in death by her mother, father and many other dear friends
and relatives.
Kathy was a woman of substance: intelligent, funny and engaging. She
will be remembered as a devoted wife and mother, beloved granny, loyal
friend, gracious hostess and fan of Elvis. She will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank the staff at Riverview Medical Center for
their kindness and care. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested
contributions be made to the Riverview Healthcare Foundation, Wisconsin
Rapids.
| Kathryn Vanatta (1947 - 2012) |